ST. LOUIS -- The Northern Iowa men and women have been picked to win the 2026 Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championship crowns in a poll of the league's head coaches. 

On the men's side, UNI garnered all 10 first-place votes and 100 total points in the poll. Illinois State and Indiana State tied for second with 85 points apiece. Southern Illinois (65 pts.) and Bradley (60 pts.) rounded out the top half of the pre-championship poll.

On the women's side, the Panthers edged Indiana State with 115 points and six first-place votes, while the Sycamores captured four first-place votes and 113 total points. Illinois State secured 99 points in the pre-championship poll, while Bradley earned the final first-place vote and 88 points. Murray State rounded out the pre-championship poll with 75 total points.

The 2026 MVC Outdoor Track & Field Championship, hosted by Indiana State, and presented by the Terre Haute Convention and Visitor's Bureau, will be held May 16-17, in Terre Haute, Indiana. All spectators will be required to purchase a ticket for admittance into the Gibson Track & Field Complex. Tickets can be purchased at the main gate located off of Riverside Road. Gates will open for spectators 1-hour prior to the first scheduled event each day. A full schedule of events, ticket information and merchandise can be found on Championship Central.