NEW ORLEANS – Eleven members of the Harding women's track and field team have earned invitations to compete at the 2026 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships, the national committee announced Tuesday.
The 11 qualifiers mark a significant milestone for the Lady Bisons, setting a new program record for the most athletes sent to a single national championship. The total eclipses the previous record of seven qualifiers set just last year in 2025.
Harding, which climbed to No. 11 in the latest USTFCCCA National Rating Index, will be represented by nine individual entries and the 4x100-meter relay team. The championships are set for May 21-23 at Welch Stadium in Emporia, Kansas.
ELITE CONTENDERS
Harding enters the national meet with three athletes positioned for podium finishes, all holding top-10 national rankings:
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Erika Konovalenko (FR): The standout freshman enters with the No. 3 mark in the Javelin (51.84m / 170-0).
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Roselyn Spencer (FR): Ranks No. 8 in the Heptathlon with 5,240 points.
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Cadence Sansom (SR): The veteran pole vaulter sits at No. 8 nationally (4.12m / 13-6.25).
SPEED AND DEPTH
The Lady Bisons' speed will be a focal point on the opening day of competition. The 4x100-meter relay team of Tetiana Kharashchuk, Leila Ngapout, Kewes Gomes, and Jerlana Williams enters ranked 12th in Division II (45.25).
Individually, Jerlana Williams will look to advance in the 100-meter dash (No. 18, 11.58), while Tetiana Kharashchuk tackles the 400-meter dash (No. 18, 53.98).
BALANCED ATTACK
The record-breaking squad features depth across all event groups:
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Distance: Senior Josie Parks is a top-10 contender in the 3,000-meter Steeplechase (No. 10, 10:26.96).
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Throws: Freshman Yedidya Bangue qualifies in the Shot Put (No. 10, 15.16m).
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Vertical Jumps: Junior Ally Cheek brings championship experience to the High Jump (No. 13, 1.73m).
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Horizontal Jumps: Senior Hanna Onufriieva punched her ticket in the Triple Jump with an 18th-ranked mark (12.28m) at the Mother's Day Last Chance meet.
CHAMPIONSHIP OUTLOOK
The record-setting group will look to translate their #11 national ranking into team points starting Thursday, May 21. The competition begins with the multi-events and the pole vault.
