KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association has announced its fourth Track and Field Athletes of the Week from the 2025-26 men’s indoor season, presented by
Beynon – the official track surface of the MIAA. Pittsburg State’s Ilias Garcia was named the MIAA Track Athlete of the Week and Washburn’s Justin Forde was crowned the MIAA Field Athlete of the Week.
INDOOR TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Ilias Garcia, Pittsburg State
Ilias Garcia clocked the fastest 60-meter time in NCAA Division II this season while winning the race at the PSU Invitational Saturday (Jan. 31) at the Robert W. Plaster. The Las Vegas, Nev. native posted a fast time of 6.63 seconds in the discipline – also the second-fastest 60-meter time in Pitt State history.
INDOOR FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Justin Forde, Washburn
Justin Forde shattered the Washburn record, set a meet record, and moved to No. 1 in the NCAA Division II this season at the Washburn Open with a winning triple jump of 15.94 meters. Forde's mark surpassed the previous school record of 15.16 meters and was also a personal best. His mark is .26 meters better than the next best triple jump mark in Division II.
NOTABLE TRACK PERFORMANCES:
Frank Sparks, Northwest Missouri
Frank Sparks placed second and put up the nation's third-best time in the 60-meter hurdles at the Washburn Open. The sophomore had a clocking of 7.85 in the finals, which ranks as the second-best 60-meter hurdles time in Bearcat indoor history. Sparks had previously run 7.94 in the prelims of the 60-meter hurdles at the Washburn Open.
Chase Sorrell, Missouri Southern
On the track, Chase Sorrell ran a personal best time of 4:05.42 to place third in the men's mile at the Pittsburg State Invitational. The time was an NCAA qualifying mark and moves him into second all-time at MSSU for the indoor event. His time ranks fourth in Division II for the mile this season.
NOTABLE FIELD PERFORMANCES:
Luke Brachle, Nebraska Kearney
Luke Brachle won the high jump at the annual Charlie Foster Classic last Friday afternoon in Kearney by clearing 7-1.50 (2.17 meters) on his third and final attempt. The effort places him number one in Division II in the event and number two in the UNK record books. Earlier this season, he reached 6-9.75 and 6-11 to move up the national list.
Greyson Smith, Pittsburg State
Greyson Smith posted the fifth-best mark in NCAA Division II this season in winning the pole vault at the PSU Invitational Saturday (Jan. 31) at the Robert W. Plaster Center. The Webb City, Mo. native logged a best clearance of 17 feet, 1 inch (5.21 meters). Smith is ranked No. 2 in Pitt State history in the discipline.
ALSO NOMINATED:
Track Nominations: Cooper Palmer [Central Missouri], Jaxon Knisely [Nebraska Kearney], Nathaneal Gibson [Rogers State], Bradley Nkosi [Fort Hays State], Emmanuel Dukpe [Emporia State]
Field Nominations: Landon Mason [Central Missouri], Ethan Gaschler [Northwest Missouri], Drake Willenborg [Missouri Southern], Connor Deters [Emporia State], Josiah Ball [Fort Hays State]
ABOUT BEYNON:
Beynon Sports, a Tarkett Sports company, is a leading North American company specializing in designing, manufacturing and installing high-performance synthetic athletic surfaces, particularly track and field, but also for tennis, pickleball and other indoor courts, known for their speed, durability, and focus on sustainability. They provide surfaces for elite venues and community facilities, and meet strict International Association of Athletics Federations standards.
INDOOR WEEK ONE TRACK: Nolan Vancauwemberghe, Central Missouri
INDOOR WEEK ONE FIELD: Drew Wilhite, Pittsburg State
INDOOR WEEK TWO TRACK: Aziz Mohammed, Northwest Missouri
INDOOR WEEK TWO FIELD: Adam Wooldridge, Washburn
INDOOR WEEK THREE TRACK: Caden Williams, Pittsburg State
INDOOR WEEK THREE FIELD: Xavier Byers, Pittsburg State
INDOOR WEEK FOUR TRACK: Ilias Garcia, Pittsburg State
INDOOR WEEK FOUR FIELD: Justin Forde, Washburn