Bristol, Tenn. – King University enters the 2026 men's outdoor track & field season with confidence and upward potential after being selected seventh in the Conference Carolinas Preseason Poll released Thursday. The Tornado earned 109 points in the voting, placing them firmly in the middle of a deep and competitive conference field.
Mount Olive was picked to win its 12th straight and 14th overall conference championship, collecting 184 points and 13 first-place votes. Converse followed closely with 182 points and one first-place vote, while Belmont Abbey (163), UNC Pembroke (147), and Southern Wesleyan (144) rounded out the top five. King sits just behind Lees-McRae (126) and ahead of Young Harris (94) as the conference continues to tighten across event groups.
The poll was voted on by the league's head coaches, who were not permitted to vote for their own programs.
King's Athletes to Watch
Three Tornado standouts were named to the 2026 Conference Carolinas Men's Outdoor Track & Field Athletes to Watch list, representing a strong mix of experience, speed, and technical skill:
- Lynden Johnson, Senior, Sprints, Freeport, Bahamas
- Dominick Stevens, Sophomore, Sprints, Louisville, Tennessee
2026 Third Team All-Conference Carolinas – 200m
- Nate Rosson, Sophomore, Pole Vault, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
2026 Third Team All-Conference Carolinas – Pole Vault
These selections highlight the program's strength in sprints and vertical jumps, as well as the potential for significant point production at the conference meet.
A Strong and Balanced Conference Field
The 2026 preseason poll reflects a league with exceptional depth. Mount Olive and Converse headline the top tier, while Belmont Abbey, UNC Pembroke, and Southern Wesleyan form a competitive group capable of challenging for podium finishes. Lees-McRae and King anchor the middle of the standings, with several programs close behind.
For King, the seventh-place projection provides both motivation and opportunity. With returning all-conference performers and developing underclassmen, the Tornado are positioned to outperform expectations as the season progresses.
Championships Set for Late April
The 2026 Conference Carolinas Outdoor Track & Field Championships will take place April 23–25 at Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. With a full outdoor schedule ahead, King aims to build momentum and peak at the right time for the conference's premier event.
