LONGVIEW, Texas -- A new and improved roster awaits LeTourneau Track and Field's 2026 season, with the intent to make noise in the upcoming campaign.

Led by second-year Director of Track & Field/Cross Country Dillon May, the YellowJackets anticipate success being right around the corner.

The YellowJackets enter their second year as members of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference in 2026.

THE ROSTER

May has crafted a record-breaking 59-athlete roster for the Spring, the largest in program history.  

"Our roster has grown by nearly 50% from last year, and it's easy to notice a change in the energy levels amongst the student athletes," May said regarding his squad. "They feel the difference, and they're excited to start getting marks, cheering teammates on, and seeing what we can accomplish this year."

Headlining the returners for the women is Victoria Wilson. Wilson enters her senior year, currently holding seven program records between individual and relay performances.

Leading the returners for the men is Calvin Mason, a junior thrower entering his second year with the YellowJackets. Mason set five program records, received three All-SCAC honors, and was named to the USTFCCCA Outdoor All-West Region team a year ago. 

The roster is compiled of 40 men and 19 women, including 30 freshmen, making up the incoming class. "We had an incredible freshman class come in this year," May added. "They've added depth, competition, and brought a new energy to practice."

The women's sprints/jumps/hurdles group includes: Wilson, Michaela Antenucci, Leinaya Gay, Allison Reade, Hannah Dunster, Anna Layng, Selah Prickett, and Madi Williams. Ryker Gorrell, James Kearsing, Ben Sweatt, Justin Lindberg, Seth Barker, Nick Ercole, Seth McMullen, Chris Morelli, Abdiel Rincon, Bryson Culver, Xander Nabors, Blaize Putnam, and Jean-Michel Ndiaye round out the group for the men.

Ndiaye returns for his sophomore season after setting five program records in his first year.

The distance group is compiled of Xavier Davila, John Wesley Ely, Grayson Gaddis, Jakob Guadian, Alexander Hoksbergen, Austin Jett, Ike Lehman, Jack McCarty, Simon Nakamura, Elijah Oudyn, Daniel Risberg, Gavin Smith, Isaac Stucker, Ryan Tally, Konrad Williamson, and David Dugan.

Dugan looks to build off his Fall season, where he received All-SCAC honors and was a recipient of the SCAC Elite 19 Award in Cross Country.

Fellice Mullinax, Madelyn DeLosSantos, Alayna Galloway, Katelyn Chavez, Rivkah Schmickle, and Peyton Chaney round out the long-distance group. "The distance squad has been working hard getting ready for another season." Distance coach Kevin Gideon noted regarding his group. "I know with the talented group we have, if we stay focused on the process and getting a little better each day, we will be in a great spot come April." 

The 2026 pole vault group consists of Kooper Bogenschutz, Karter Brandenburger, Andrew Cockrill, Cooper Hooks, and Colton Fears. Fears enters his senior year following an All-SCAC worthy performance a year ago at conference.

The throwers round out the roster, led by first-year assistant Whitney Grubb. Grubb was a three-time NCAA Division III national champion at UT Tyler during her collegiate career and a seven-time All-American in the hammer and weight throw events.

The men's group consists of Mason, Drew Moore, Jonathan Fisher, Erik Lindgren, Mason Thompson, and Aaron Willeford, while the women's group consists of Audrey DeMaris, Makenzie Covey, and Nat Ferdi. Willeford looks to build off a 2025 season where he set a program record, while Ferdi received All-SCAC honors, both in the javelin throw.

"It's been so fun and refreshing to work with this group of young men and women and watch how they handle the good days and bad," Grubb mentioned regarding this team. "They had quite a bit of adversity during the first semester, but they've handled everything with grace and kept showing up, and now it's time to see the fruits of their labor."

THE SCHEDULE

The 2026 slate features five regular-season indoor meets, along with seven outdoor.

Indoor season begins Jan. 17 as LeTourneau heads to Division I McNeese State in Lake Charles, La., for the first of two McNeese Indoor meets. The YellowJackets return for the McNeese Indoor II on Friday, Jan. 30.

LeTourneau heads to Houston -- following the season opener -- for the FasTrak Athletix Indoor Invitational on Jan. 24. The YellowJackets will once again make a return trip, heading to Houston on Feb. 7 for the FasTrak Collegiate Last Chance meet. 

The indoor regular season concludes on Feb. 13-14, as LeTourneau competes at the Russ Jewett Indoor Gorilla Classic, hosted by Division II Pitt State in Pittsburg, Kan. 

The SCAC does not currently hold an indoor conference meet, meaning the indoor postseason will feature only the NCAA Division III Indoor Championships for those who qualify. The championships will be held March 13-14 in Birmingham, Ala.

Outdoor season kicks off on March 7 at the Mississippi College Spring Cleaning Classic in Clinton, Miss. The following week, LeTourneau will head to McNeese State for a third time to compete in the Cowboy Relays on March 14. This begins a run of four straight meets hosted by Division I members, including the TCU Alumni Invite (March 20-21), the NSU Invitational (March 28), and the Carl Knight Invitational (April 2-4). 

The YellowJackets head to SCAC rival McMurry in Abilene, Texas, for the War Hawk Classic on April 11, before closing out the regular season at Division II Southern Arkansas' Dan Veach Invitational on April 18.

Regarding the postseason, the SCAC Championships -- hosted by McMurry -- will take place April 24-26 in Abilene, while the NCAA Division III Outdoor Championships will be held May 21-23 in La Crosse, Wis.

Last chance meets are subject to be scheduled for both indoor and outdoor.

With bright spots amongst every group, and a competition-packed slate ahead, the YellowJackets have set everything in place for a successful run in 2026.

FOLLOW THE YELLOWJACKETS

Be sure to follow LeTourneau athletics all season long on letuathletics.com and social media at Facebook, Twitter/X and Instagram for up-to-date scores, news, and other information.