ROLLA, Mo. – The Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) announced its 2025-26 Men's and Women's Indoor Track & Field Preseason Polls on Wednesday, with Missouri S&T's men's program selected fourth and the women's team earning a sixth-place ranking in the annual coaches' vote. The Miners' men collected 111 points in the poll, while the women tallied 109 points among the league's programs.

Both teams are coming off strong showings in the 2024-25 indoor season, as the men finished fifth and the women placed seventh at the GLVC Indoor Championships. With a talented core of returners and a promising mix of newcomers, S&T aims to continue climbing the conference standings under new head coach Nikki Segrest, who begins her first season at the helm after spending the past five years as an assistant coach at Northwest Missouri State.

"I'm incredibly excited about the energy and dedication this team is bringing into the season," said Segrest. "We have a great mix of returning talent and new athletes who are hungry to compete. You can expect a team that competes with heart, supports each other, and brings intensity to every practice and meet. We're building something special, and I cannot wait to see it unfold this season!"

The Miners' men return several standouts from last year's roster, highlighted by Owen Fraser (Kirksville, MO/Kirksville), who earned All-Region honors in both discus and shot put, captured GLVC Championships titles, and was crowned the 2025 NCAA Division II National Champion in the discus. Jake Salazar-Blair (Phoenix, AZ/Desert Vista) also returns for S&T after claiming a GLVC Championship in the javelin during the outdoor campaign, adding depth to an already talented throwing group.

On the women's side, S&T welcomes back key contributors who made their mark last season. Hailey Smith (Wentzville, MO/Timberland) opened the 2025 outdoor campaign by setting a new school record in the triple jump (11.67m), while Maya Wright (Hillsboro, MO/Hillsboro) posted an NCAA provisional mark during the indoor season with a 3,438-point performance in the pentathlon at the GLVC Championships. Sydney Morris (Jefferson City, MO/Calvary Lutheran) also made an immediate impact in her debut year, recording top-five program marks in both the indoor and outdoor shot put.

What's Next
The Miners are set to kick off their 2025-26 indoor campaign on Dec. 5-6 at Pittsburg State. S&T will then prepare for the GLVC Indoor Championships, scheduled for Feb. 28–March 1 in Indianapolis, Ind., as the Miners aim to make their mark on the conference stage.

Men's Indoor Track & Field Preseason Poll (1st-Place Votes)
1. Lewis 141 (9)
2. Lincoln 135 (4)
3. Indianapolis 118
4. Missouri S&T 111
5. Southwest Baptist 92
6. Drury 79
7. Maryville 78
8. Truman State 72
9. McKendree 45
10. Illinois Springfield 40
11. Rockhurst 38
12. William Jewell 38
13. Quincy 27

Women's Indoor Track & Field Preseason Poll (1st-Place Votes)
1. Lewis 168 (12)
2. Lincoln 149 (2)
3. Indianapolis 141
4. Southwest Baptist 137
5. Maryville 115
6. Missouri S&T 109
7. Truman State 97
8. Drury 81
9. Illinois Springfield 71
10. McKendree 60
11. William Jewell 53
12. Rockhurst 37
13. Upper Iowa 33
14. Quincy 23