EMPORIA, KS – The 2026 NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships began on Thursday, with two Parkside track and field athletes in action. Johanna Ebert and Michael Hendrix both put together big performances in their events and have qualified for the finals.

Ebert qualified for the 3000m steeplechase finals after finishing third in her heat in a time of 10:38.84. Ebert found herself in fourth place after the first two laps, but then was able to move up to second on the third lap before settling into third. Ebert's last lap was her best full lap, running it in 1:20.64.

Hendrix qualified for the 400 meter hurdles finals after finishing second in his heat in a time of 51.47. Running out of lane four, Hendrix finished second in his heat by just over a tenth of a second. His time of 51.47 was the fifth fastest of all of the heats.

Ebert will compete for a national championships on Friday at 7:30pm, while Hendrix will compete for a national title of his own at 5:40pm on Saturday evening.

Two more Rangers will kick off their time at the national championships on Friday. Doug Martin and Cayton Cratch will compete in the 800 meter first round at 6:00pm. Cratch will run in heat one while Martin will be in heat two.

Links to live coverage can be found at ParksideRangers.com