MUNCIE, Ind. — University of Akron track and field completed a championship sweep on Saturday at the Briner Sports Complex, capturing both the men’s and women’s titles at the 2026 Mid-American Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships hosted by Ball State University.
It marks the fifth time in program history Akron has swept the MAC outdoor championships and the first time since 2019.
The Akron men secured their fourth consecutive MAC Outdoor Championship with 212 points, finishing ahead of Eastern Michigan (148.5) and Kent State (143). On the women’s side, the Zips totaled 135.5 points to hold off Kent State (113.5) and Western Michigan (81).
Akron was led by standout performances from Andrew Styles and Jackline Nanjala during Saturday’s final events. Styles claimed MAC titles in both the 400 meters and 200 meters, winning in 46.22 and 20.70, respectively. He also anchored Akron’s winning 4x400 relay team alongside Braylyn Farrington, Aljernun (AJ) Jordan and Bram De Raedt, as the Zips crossed in 3:09.47.
Nanjala captured the women’s 400-meter championship in 52.86, while Mercy Jebitok added a distance title for the Zips in the women’s 5000 meters with a winning time of 16:12.93. Akron also received a men’s distance victory from Noah Nyageo, who won the 5000m in 14:30.61.
Eastern Michigan earned victories in both women’s relay events, opening the day with a win in the 4x100 relay as Saraiah Walkes, Ajah Arscott, Jordynn Young and Uduak Pius Udosoh finished in 45.33. The Eagles later closed the meet with a victory in the women’s 4x400 relay behind Liusmar Rivas Velasquez, Alba Vinals Calixto, Sophie Emin and Mia Biehl in 3:38.21.
Kent State turned in a strong showing in the sprints as Sean Callahan Jr. won the men’s 100 meters in 10.41 after helping the Golden Flashes capture the men’s 4x100 relay title alongside Ryan Gruss, Chaz Sakala and Jacob Stanley in 39.33. On the women’s side, Amryne Chilton swept the 100m and 200m titles in 11.37 and 23.04.
Eastern Michigan’s Kian Wiles repeated as MAC champion in the men’s 1500 meters, winning in 3:48.30, while Bowling Green picked up a pair of women’s distance victories from Kylee Cubbison in the 1500m (4:20.85) and Rachael Hoover in the 800m (2:08.12).
Miami’s Nate Hollingsworth cleared 2.05m to win the men’s high jump, while teammate Kate Hallie captured the women’s discus title with a throw of 51.58m.
Ball State earned two victories on its home track as Malina Miller won the women’s high jump at 1.77m and Laya'Lapri Ratney claimed the women’s 100-meter hurdles title in 13.40.
Western Michigan’s Laurine Marimon won the women’s triple jump with a mark of 13.16m, while teammate Mabinty Kebe captured the women’s 400-meter hurdles title in 57.66.
Additional men’s champions included Dominic Jackson of Miami in the 800m (1:48.98), Matthew Acquah of UMass in the triple jump (15.56m), and Michael Parks of Buffalo in the 110-meter hurdles (13.78).
Men’s Final Team Standings
Akron — 212 points
Eastern Michigan — 148.5 points
Kent State — 143 points
Miami — 129 points
UMass — 101.5 points
Buffalo — 79 points
Women’s Final Team Standings
Akron — 135.5 points
Kent State — 113.5 points
Western Michigan — 81 points
Ball State — 76 points
Eastern Michigan — 75 points
Miami — 74 points
Bowling Green — 63 points
UMass — 54 points
Ohio — 50 points
Toledo — 35 points
Buffalo — 26 points
Central Michigan — 23 points
Northern Illinois — 12 points
