BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The National Collegiate Athletic Association has announced the qualifying athletes for the 2026 NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships. The Trine University track and field team has two qualifiers in Bailey Puckett and Braden Estep.
 
Puckett will compete in the mile run for the second consecutive time at the NCAA Championships. This marks the fifth time Puckett will compete at an NCAA Championships event. Puckett placed ninth in the 1500 meter run at last year's outdoor championships and 18^th in the mile run at last year's indoor championships. Puckett also has a pair of appearances at the NCAA Cross Country Championships, most recently at the 2025-edition where she helped the Thunder to a program-best ninth place finish.
 
Puckett's time of 4:49.53 ranks fourth nationally and second in Trine history. Puckett ranks behind Evie Miller (Bultemeyer) who was a three-time All-American in the event. She is the 71^st national qualifier in program history and will look to become the 18^th All-American.
 
Estep makes his first run to a national meet in the 200-meter dash. His time of 21.83 seconds ranks 16^th fastest in the field of 20 competitors. He ranks 2^nd in program history in the event behind Jake Gladieux, who's record time of 21.53 seconds earned him All-America status in 2024. Estep carries on a long tradition of Trine Track and Field representation at the national level. He is the 201^st national qualifier and will look to be the 36^th All-American in program history.
 
Puckett will compete on Friday at 3:35 p.m. The top four finishers from each heat and the next four fastest times will qualify for Saturday's final, scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. Estep will compete on Friday at 5:30 p.m. The eight fastest times will qualify for Saturday's final at 6:25 p.m.