NEW ORLEANS – Following a landmark performance at the NCAA Division II Indoor Championships in Virginia Beach, the Harding Bisons have officially swept through the postseason awards circuit. Five Bisons were named to the USTFCCCA All-Central Region team, while six earned All-America honors for their execution on the national stage.

The Bisons, who finished 10th in the nation as a team, were well-represented in the Central Region—one of the most grueling territories in Division II. To earn All-Region status, an athlete must finish the regular season ranked in the top five of their respective event.

The Region's Best: Performance Highlights

Highlighting the All-Region list were Vlad Malykhin and Benson Lingokal, who both earned the distinction of having the top mark in the Central Region (*) this season.

• Vlad Malykhin (Pole Vault): The senior standout was the class of the region all year. His season-best clearance of 5.45m (17-10.5) at the Woo Pig Classic ranked No. 1 in the Central and set the stage for his fourth consecutive indoor national title.

• Benson Lingokal (5,000 Meters): The freshman sensation made an immediate impact, posting the region's fastest time (13:48.95) at the Indoor Music City Challenge.

• Yves Bilong (Triple Jump): Bilong's season-best leap of 15.55m (51-0.25) at the Pittsburg State Invitational solidified his status as a regional powerhouse.

• Anton Kopytko (Long Jump): Kopytko consistently soared past the competition, recording a season-best 7.49m (24-07.00) at the Pittsburg State Invitational.

• Caledon Ruwende (200 Meters): The sophomore blazed a 21.10 at the Samford Invitational, a time that ranked him among the elite sprinters in the Central.

USTFCCCA All-Americans

The USTFCCCA also honored the Bisons for their execution at the national meet. First-Team honors were awarded to those finishing 1st through 8th place, while Second-Team honors went to those placing 9th through 16th.

First-Team All-America

• Vlad Malykhin (Pole Vault): Claimed the National Championship (his 7th overall title) with a clearance of 5.41m (17-09).

• Anton Kopytko (Long Jump): Secured 4th Place nationally with a leap of 7.42m (24-04.25).

• Yves Bilong (Triple Jump): Earned 5th Place after a best mark of 15.37m (50-05.25).

Second-Team All-America

• Benson Lingokal (5,000 Meters): Finished 10th in the nation with a time of 14:02.45.

• Artem Konovalenko (Triple Jump): Placed 11th in his national debut with a mark of 14.87m (48-09.5).

• Caledon Ruwende (200 Meters): Finished 15th overall following a 21.79 in the preliminaries.

2026 Harding Men's Indoor Honors Summary