2026 Women's Outdoor Track & Field Championship Preview University of Wisconsin-La Crosse will strive for a 14th straight title at the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Championship (presented by Culver’s) at UW-La Crosse’s Roger Harring Stadium at Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex May 1-2. This will mark the 54th gathering of conference teams. The Eagles totaled 269.50 points to collect the 39th conference championship in program history last season. UW-Eau Claire placed second with 148.16 points, UW-Stout third with 116, UW-Oshkosh fourth with 106, UW-Whitewater fifth with 97, UW-Platteville sixth with 32.33, UW-River Falls seventh with 28 and UW-Stevens Point eighth with 22. UW-Oshkosh ranks second behind UW-La Crosse with 11 league titles, while UW-Stevens Point has one. Former member UW-Madison collected two first-place finishes. Competition at this year’s championship will begin at 1:00 p.m. on May 1, and 11:00 a.m. on May 2. Medals will be awarded to the top-eight finishers in each of the individual events and runners comprising the top-six relay teams, while All-Conference designation will be given to the top-three finishers in each event. This year’s meet features a pair of teams ranked in the top-25 of the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association NCAA Division III Rating Index distributed on April 28. UW-La Crosse is the top-ranked team, while UW-Eau Claire is fifth. Returning champions in individual events include: UW-Eau Claire’s Kayla Behnke (2024/discus) and Laura Bertrang (2024/javelin); UW-La Crosse’s Samantha Barrett (2022 and 2024/triple jump), Maya Evans (2024/long jump and 2025/triple jump), Amber Grosse (2024/heptathlon), Maddy Habberstad (2025/pole vault), Ainsley Hansen (2023/high jump), Brooklyn Luebke (2025/5,000-meter run), Anna Plautz (2025/400-meter dash) and Ella Puls (2023 and 2025/javelin); UW-Oshkosh’s Maddy LaVoi (2024/400-meter dash); UW-Platteville’s Hailey Campbell (2024/high jump); UW-Stout’s Lilly Roberts (2025/400-meter hurdles); and UW-Whitewater’s Ryleigh Campbell (2025/discus). Evans won Field Performer of the Meet in 2024, while Hansen and Campbell were tabbed the Newcomers of the Year in 2023 and 2024, respectively. Individuals that have claimed first-place relay medals at previous championships include: UW-La Crosse’s Sarah Grubbs (2025/4x400-meter relay), Maddie Hecker (2025/4x400-meter relay), Taylor Molling (2024/4x100-meter relay), Anna Plautz (2024/4x400-meter relay), Anika Reiland (2024 and 2025/4x100-meter relay), Alli Thomas (2025/4x400-meter relay), Julie Yang (2025/4x100-meter relay) and Makenna Zak (2024 and 2025/4x100-meter relay). Individuals from remaining conference programs ranking high on this year’s WIAC Honor Roll include: UW-River Falls’ Jaidyn McAlpine (3,000-meter steeplechase) and Georgia Mundt (discus); and UW-Stevens Point’s Faith Wehrman (10,000-meter run) and Madeline Zirbel (high jump). # # # # #