Northwest Missouri State University senior Melanie Roland has been honored as the 2026 USTFCCCA Central Region Female Track Athlete of the Year.
 
Roland (Pointe-Noire, Guadeloupe) produced a pair of All-America performances including a national championship in the 400M at the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Emporia, Kan. Roland also anchored the 4x400M relay squad that tallied a second-place finish.
 
Roland became only third Bearcat female to capture an outdoor NCAA championship joining Hiba Mahgoub (200M in 2021) and Tiffany Hughey (400M in 2024).
 
Roland was an MIAA champion this spring in the 400M and the 4x400M relay. She ran a season and personal best 52.15 in winning the 400M MIAA crown.
 
She helped guide the Bearcat women to a program-best sixth-place finish at the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Championships.
 
BEARCATS AS CENTRAL REGION ATHLETES OF THE YEAR
2019 – Kevin Schultz – Central Region Male Indoor Field Athlete of the Year
2019 – Omar Austin – Central Region Male Indoor Track Athlete of the Year
2021 – Reece Smith – Central Region Male Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year
2022 – Reece Smith – Central Region Male Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year
2026 – Melanie Roland – Central Region Female Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year