Harrogate, TN -- The Lincoln Memorial men's and women's track and field teams are set to travel to Emory, Virginia, this week to compete in the 2026 South Atlantic Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Hosted by Emory and Henry University at the Food City Sports Complex, the two-day event will take place on Wednesday, April 29, and Thursday, April 30. The Railsplitters enter the postseason following a successful regular season that concluded with a dominant performance at the Centre College Twilight in Danville, Kentucky. This week's championships serve as the premier stage for the program to secure conference honors and improve upon national qualifying marks ahead of the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships in May.
The meet features a full slate of competition beginning Wednesday with several field event finals and preliminary rounds on the track, followed by a high-stakes schedule of finals on Thursday. Lincoln Memorial is looking to build on the momentum generated throughout the spring, with athletes competing across sprints, distance events, jumps, and throws. Head coach Jeff Kavalunas expressed his confidence in the team's preparation and mindset as they transition into the most critical part of their schedule.
"The outdoor SAC Championships are a culmination of a season's hard work, and for some, it started back in August", Kavalunas said. "Our goal is for everyone to compete at their best at the end of the season, and we are accomplishing that. After having some great training sessions over the last week, I am excited to see what they can do and how they respond in the championships. I'm proud of how they have handled the change in the program for the outdoor season, keeping a positive and supportive mindset throughout. As I have said in the past, the hay is in the barn; let's go out, compete hard, and have fun".
Following the conclusion of the conference championships, individual qualifiers for the Railsplitters will focus on the final weeks of the season. Those who meet the necessary performance standards will represent Lincoln Memorial at the national level during the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships, which are scheduled to take place from May 21 through May 23 at Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas.
