FHSU Athletics
INDIANAPOLIS - The Fort Hays State track and field teams had four individuals selected to compete at the 2026 NCAA Division II Indoor Championships, announced Tuesday by the national office.
Annabeth Baalmann, Katie Linenberger, Emily Diercks McCullough and Josiah Ball will all represent the Tigers at the national championships March 13-14 in Virginia Beach, Va.
Baalmann ranks second in Division II in the pole vault with a school-record clearance of 14-1.25 set early in the season in Kearney, Neb. The senior has finished first or second at five of her seven meets this season. A three-time All-American, this is her fifth trip to the national meet after also competing indoors and outdoors each of the last two seasons.
Linenberger ranks fourth nationally in the high jump with her personal-best clearance of 5-10, accomplished earlier this season in Kearney, Neb. She is the top-ranked freshman in Division II and is one of just three first-year student-athletes to rank inside the top 20. The Hays native ranks second on the FHSU DII era performance list and will make her national championship debut this season.
McCullough's school-record time of 16:40.59 in the 5,000m at last week's MIAA Championships is the 20th-fastest time in Division II this season. A two-time All-American, this is the senior's fourth trip to a national event after competing at each of the last two cross country championships as well as the 2025 outdoor championship.
Ball sits in 13th on the national performance chart in the pole vault with a season-best performance of 16-10.75 set late in the season in Manhattan, Kan. This is the sophomore's second national championship appearance after placing 18th at the 2025 outdoor meet in Pueblo, Colo.
NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships
Virginia Beach, Va. • Virginia Beach Sports Center
Full FHSU Schedule
Friday, March 13
2:20 p.m. (3:20 p.m. ET) - Men's Pole Vault - Josiah Ball
3:35 p.m. (4:35 p.m. ET) - Women's High Jump - Katie Linenberger
5:20 p.m. (6:20 p.m. ET) - Women's 5,000m - Emily Diercks McCullough
Saturday, March 14
3:00 p.m. (4:00 p.m. ET) - Women's Pole Vault - Annabeth Baalmann