EMPORIA, Kan. - Colorado State University Pueblo will once again be well represented on the national stage as the ThunderWolves send a talented nine-athlete group to the 2026 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field National Championships this week at Welch Stadium in Emporia, Kansas.
The Pack women's contingent is highlighted by one of the top middle-distance groups in Division II, led by national title contender Helen Braybrook. The senior enters the women's 1,500 meters with the fastest seed time in the field at 4:17.48 and will compete alongside teammate Jadyn Herron, who qualified with a mark of 4:19.49.
Braybrook and Herron have been dominant throughout the season and will look to continue their momentum after helping lead CSU Pueblo to another standout campaign. Herron also capped off another impressive year after contributing to the ThunderWolves' indoor national championship distance medley relay squad earlier this season.
Charlotte Young will represent the ThunderWolves in the women's 800 meters after qualifying with a season-best mark of 2:07.04. Young is scheduled to compete in the second preliminary heat Thursday afternoon as she looks to add another All-America performance to her resume following an outstanding indoor season.
In the field events, reigning indoor national champion Febe Wessels returns to the national stage in the women's shot put. Wessels enters the meet with the seventh-best seed mark in the country at 15.71 meters and will compete Saturday afternoon looking for another All-America finish.
Keturah Templeman rounds out the women's qualifiers for CSU Pueblo after another strong season in the javelin. The sophomore qualified with a mark of 46.98 meters and will compete Thursday evening in the opening flight of the national championship competition.
On the men's side, the ThunderWolves are led by one of the nation's top middle-distance runners in Caleb McLeod. The sophomore qualified for the men's 1,500 meters with a time of 3:41.89 and enters one of the deepest events at the national championships after another sensational season for the Pack.
Tim Anstett returns to the national stage in the men's 800 meters after posting a qualifying mark of 1:47.51 this season. The junior will compete in the second preliminary heat Thursday evening as he looks to earn another All-America performance for CSU Pueblo.
Distance standout Jon Sweepe will also represent the ThunderWolves after qualifying for the men's 5,000 meters with a time of 13:49.98. Sweepe enters nationals following another historic season that included multiple school-record performances and nationally ranked times throughout the year.
In the throws, Xavier Freeman returns to the national championships in the men's shot put after another dominant outdoor season. Freeman enters the competition with the sixth-best seed mark in the country at 18.72 meters and will compete Saturday afternoon looking to secure another All-America finish for the ThunderWolves.
The 2026 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field National Championships begin Thursday and continue through Saturday in Emporia, Kansas.
