EMPORIA, Kan. — Mississippi College wrapped up the 2026 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Welch Stadium with six Choctaws earning All-America honors on the national stage, highlighted by a mix of veteran leadership and one of the youngest championship contingents in program history.
The Choctaws were represented by freshmen Brodie Roberts, Schyler Chambers and Jake McMillan, while seniors Gabe Hodson, Christian Balcer, Lauren Wallace and Bre Bell closed decorated careers.
Mississippi College produced six All-America performances, with Chambers, Balcer, McMillan and Hodson earning honors on the men's side and Wallace and Bell representing the women's program.
Following the meet, head coach Joe Snyder reflected on the group's impact and culture.
"As I look back on this season, I have an immense amount of pride in this group of athletes. We are so blessed here at MC to have athletes who not only compete at the highest level, but more importantly, embody the Choctaw Standard in every area of life. The future is very bright for this group of Choctaws," Snyder said. "These seniors were freshmen when I came to MC five years ago, and I've had the privilege of watching them grow into the best leaders anyone could ask for. I have no doubt this group of seniors will go out and make a huge Kingdom impact, just as they've made on this program."
On the track and in the field, Chambers delivered the top finish of the weekend, placing ninth nationally in the men's triple jump with a mark of 15.32 meters (50-3.25). The Canton native entered nationals as one of the top freshmen in Division II and capped a breakout year that included a Gulf South Conference indoor title and conference-record performance.
Balcer closed his collegiate career with an All-America finish in the men's 1,500 meters, placing 12th in the final after running 3:49.73 in preliminaries and 3:53.34 in the championship race. The Hurley native capped a record-setting season that included a school-record campaign in the event.
Bell earned All-America honors in the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase, finishing seventh nationally in 10:28.02 after qualifying in 10:27.14. The Lexington native completed a record-setting season after establishing the school standard earlier in the spring.
Wallace added another All-America finish in the women's 1,500 meters, placing 11th nationally in 4:28.53 after advancing through preliminaries in 4:27.73. The Hoover, Ala., native closed one of the most decorated distance careers in program history, holding school records in the 800, 1,500 and 5,000 meters.
Hodson ran in the men's 800-meter preliminaries, clocking 1:50.31 to finish 14th nationally. The Raceland, La., native capped a season that included Gulf South Conference Track Athlete of the Year honors and a conference championship.
Roberts gained national experience in the men's 100-meter dash, running 10.81 in prelims after setting a school-record 10.29 earlier in the season. The Denham Springs, La., native emerged as one of the top young sprinters in Division II.
McMillan rounded out Mississippi College's weekend with a 12th-place finish in the decathlon, scoring 6,775 points across two days of competition. The Madison native delivered standout efforts in multiple events, including second in the high jump (1.96m) and 110-meter hurdles (14.66), and sixth in the pole vault (4.50m). He also posted strong marks across the long jump, shot put, discus, javelin, 400 meters and 1,500 meters.
McMillan capped one of the strongest freshman seasons in program history, earning Gulf South Conference Field Athlete of the Year honors while setting school and conference decathlon records.
Mississippi College's national contingent ultimately showcased both established leadership and emerging talent, reinforcing the program's momentum heading into the future.
