The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association announced its men's and women's preseason rankings for the 2026 outdoor track and field seasons.
 
Northwest Missouri was picked second in both the men's and women's preseason coaches polls. Both Bearcat teams were the only other MIAA programs besides the Pittsburg State Gorillas to place in the top ten at the 2026 indoor national championships, with the Bearcat women placing seventh with 22 points and the Bearcat men placing eighth, also with 22 team points.
 
With the completion of the indoor season, the Northwest track and field squads will now move on to the outdoor season with the first meet scheduled for Friday, Mar. 20 in Leavenworth, Kan. hosted by the University of Saint Mary. 
 
2026 MIAA MEN'S OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD
PRESEASON RANKINGS
1. Pittsburg State [9] – 81 points
2. Northwest Missouri State [1] – 72 points
3. Missouri Southern – 63 points
4. Washburn – 57 points
5. Central Missouri – 47 points
6. Nebraska Kearney – 42 points
7. Emporia State – 36 points
8. Fort Hays State – 26 points
9. Rogers State – 14 points
10. Missouri Western – 12 points
 
2026 MIAA WOMEN'S OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD
PRESEASON RANKINGS
1. Pittsburg State [10] – 100 points
2. Northwest Missouri State [1] – 91 points
3. Washburn – 82 points
4. Missouri Southern – 71 points
5. Central Missouri – 65 points
6. Nebraska Kearney – 56 points
7. Fort Hays State – 46 points
8. Emporia State – 34 points
9. Missouri Western – 21 points
10. Rogers State – 20 points
11. Central Oklahoma – 18 points