Contact: Brock Reisler, Assistant Executive Director, breisler@midwestconference.org
OSHKOSH, Wisconsin – Grinnell College has been picked to win the 2026 indoor and outdoor Midwest Conference track and field championships as the preseason coaches’ polls were announced on Thursday.
Picking up three first-place votes and 53 points overall, the Pioneers are looking for their first indoor and outdoor crowns since 1985.
The defending indoor and outdoor league champions, Illinois College, tied for second place with 50 points. The Lady Blues received four first-place votes, while Ripon College also earned 50 points with one first-place vote.
Monmouth College picked up one first place vote, coming in fourth with 47 points.
The poll closed with Cornell College (46 points), Lawrence University (31 points), Beloit College (24 points), Lake Forest College (13 points) and Knox College (10 points).
The 2025-26 track and field season begins with indoor competition on Friday, December 5, featuring three of the nine teams in action over the weekend.
The 2026 MWC Indoor Track & Field Championships are set for Friday and Saturday, February 27-28, at Grinnell College.
Outdoor track and field competition will begin on Friday, March 14, culminating at the 2026 MWC Outdoor Track & Field Championships, hosted by Cornell College on Friday, May 8, and Saturday, May 9.
Full preseason poll results and quick facts for all nine teams can be found below.
2025-26 MWC Women’s Track & Field Preseason Coaches’ Poll Results
1. Grinnell College (3) – 53 points
T2. Illinois College (4) - 50 points
T2. Ripon College (1) - 50 points
4. Monmouth College (1) - 47 points
5. Cornell College - 46 points
6. Lawrence University - 31 points
7. Beloit College - 24 points
8. Lake Forest College - 13 points
9. Knox College - 10 points
() – indicates first-place votes
*Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own teams.
Beloit College Buccaneers
Head Coach: Brian Bliese (26th Season)
2025 MWC Indoor Finish: 7th
2025 MWC Outdoor Finish: 7th
All-Conference Returnees: Naomee Casey (Jr.)
Cornell College Rams
Head Coach: Jerry Monner (4th Season)
2025 MWC Indoor Finish: 5th
2025 MWC Outdoor Finish: 5th
All-Conference Returnees: Hailey Carolan (Sr.), Ava Claussen-Tubbs (Sr.), Willow Ziegler (Jr.), Alyza Koppes (Sr.), Alexa Hugart (So.), Carley Seeley (So.), Lidia Dahlman (So.)
Grinnell College Pioneers
Head Coach: Jeff Pedersen (6th Season)
2025 MWC Indoor Finish: 3rd
2025 MWC Outdoor Finish: 4th
All-Conference Returnees: Jessie Goodman (Sr.), Hannah Roark (Sr.), Genevieve Madigan (So.), Lily Mayo (So.), Noelle Vu (So.), Rajanea Landers (So.), Tennyson Shultz (So.), Klaire Thompson (Jr.), Beatrice Ebel (So.), Hannah Roth (Jr.), Juniper Schwartzman (Jr.)
Illinois College Lady Blues
Head Coach: Dirk Doehring (3rd Season)
2025 MWC Indoor Finish: 1st
2025 MWC Outdoor Finish: 1st
All-Conference Returnees: Deja Anderson (Jr.), Haley Garrett (Jr.), Natalie Hasting (So.), Fynesse Jones (Sr.), McKenzie Murray (So.) -
2025 MWC Outdoor Newcomer of the Year, Kami Rhoades (So.), Aleese Trimingham (Jr.) -
2025 MWC Outdoor Athlete of the Year, Keyleigh Thomas (Sr.)
Knox College Prairie Fire
Head Coach: Mark Nelson (3rd Season)
2025 MWC Indoor Finish: 9th
2025 MWC Outdoor Finish: 9th
All-Conference Returnees: N/A
Lake Forest College Foresters
Head Coach: Patrick Austin (4th Season)
2025 MWC Indoor Finish: 8th
2025 MWC Outdoor Finish: 8th
All-Conference Returnees: N/A
Lawrence University Vikings
Head Coach: Elizabeth Krug (2nd Season)
2025 MWC Indoor Finish: 6th
2025 MWC Outdoor Finish: 6th
All-Conference Returnees: Mila Westra (Jr.)
Monmouth College Fighting Scots
Head Coach: Brian Woodard (3rd Season)
2025 MWC Indoor Finish: 2nd
2025 MWC Outdoor Finish: 3rd
All-Conference Returnees: Madison Rusk (Sr.), Makaiha Moore-Bell (Jr.), Kayla Braun (Sr.), Jillian Toth (Sr.)
Ripon College Red Hawks
Head Coach: Sylviann Momont (1st Season)
2025 MWC Indoor Finish: 4th
2025 MWC Outdoor Finish: 2nd
All-Conference Returnees: Jenny Cortes (Sr.), Joley Berger (So.), Heleyna Weiss (Jr.), Madylyn Woyak (Jr.), Minnie Hoffman (Jr.), Chloe Studinski (Jr.), Gabby Allard (Jr.), Tatum Trudell (Jr.), Sidney Hoffa (Jr.), Nicole Arnhold (Sr.)