Heart of America Athletic Conference Secures Titles at 2026 NAIA Indoor Track & Field National Championships
The Heart of America Athletic Conference saw strong representation at the 2026 NAIA Indoor Track & Field National Championships, highlighted by a podium team finish from Central Methodist University and multiple individual national champions across the conference.
Central Methodist delivered one of the top performances of the meet, finishing third overall in the women's team standings with 33 points. The Eagles scored across multiple events, including 19 points in the pentathlon, eight in the 60-meter hurdles, four in the 4x400-meter relay, and two in the 400 meters, helping secure a spot on the national podium.
Notably for Central Methodist was senior Haley Bellamy, who captured the NAIA Women's Indoor Pentathlon national championship with a facility-record performance totaling 3,917 points in Gainesville, Florida. The pentathlon includes the 60-meter hurdles, high jump, shot put, long jump, and 800 meters. Bellamy posted marks of 8.75 in the 60-meter hurdles, 1.68 meters in the high jump, 10.69 meters in the shot put, and 5.90 meters in the long jump, before closing with a 2:27.11 in the 800 meters to secure the national title.
The Heart of America Athletic Conference also saw additional national champions throughout the meet. Freshman Koby Higginbotham of William Penn University claimed the men's 60-meter hurdles title with a winning time of 7.82, and freshman Cody Hammond from Park University captured the men's 800 meters national championship with a time of 1:50.95.
In the men's 3,000-meter race walk, junior Owen Nolte of Benedictine College added another national title for the conference, crossing the line in 11:51.71.
The performances across multiple events highlighted the continued national presence of the Heart of America Athletic Conference, with Central Methodist's podium finish and four individual titles underscoring the conference's depth at the 2026 NAIA Indoor Track & Field National Championships.