NSIC Releases Outdoor Track & Field Preseason Poll
3/19/2026 11:07:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
Ottah and Woelfel tabbed as NSIC Athletes to Watch
BURNSVILLE, Minn. – St. Cloud State Track & Field has been selected to finish 12th in the 2026 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Outdoor Track & Field Preseason Coaches' Poll as announced by the league office on Thursday. Additionally, freshman sprinter Efe Ottah and sophomore pole vaulter Lauren Woelfel (Becker, Minn.) were named the preseason athletes to watch by the NSIC.
"We're excited about the momentum our group is building," said third-year head coach Gabrielle Brown. "This team has shown a strong commitment to the process and continues to compete for one another. I'm looking forward to seeing how the Huskies build on the progress we made during the indoor season as we head into outdoor competition."
Ottah, the Huskies track athlete to watch, competed in the 60, 200, 300 and 400 meters during her first collegiate indoor season. She was a member of the 4x400 relay team that finished in eighth place at the NSIC Indoor Championships after running a season best time of 4:03.90. It was her first time scoring at a conference championship.
"Efe has made a strong impression in her first year with our program," said Brown. "She shows up every day ready to work, brings great energy to practice, and is constantly looking for ways to improve. Her work ethic and willingness to learn have made her someone we're excited to watch continue developing throughout the outdoor season."
Woelfel, the Huskies field athlete to watch, competed in the pole vault during the indoor season. She won the event in two of the four meets she competed in, set a lifetime best in the event at the Snowshoe Open (Minnesota) on Feb. 20 (3.62m/11-10.5) and finished tied for fifth place at the NSIC Indoor Championships after clearing 3.61m/11-10 to score 3.5 points for the team. It was her first time scoring at a conference championship.
"Lauren made an immediate impact for us during the indoor season, scoring at the NSIC Championships while also competing in swim and dive," said Brown. "We're excited to see what she can do this outdoor season now that she's able to focus fully on track and continue building on the progress she showed indoors."
NSIC Release
SCSU outperformed its preseason projection at the NSIC Indoor Championships by five places, finishing 10th at the meet that was hosted by Minnesota State at Myers Field House in Mankato on February 27-28. Graduate jumper Elena Martinez-Rodriguez (Madrid, Spain) led the charge for the Huskies, scoring 14 of the team's 18.5 points in the meet including 10 points for winning the high jump on day one. In total, SCSU posted seven personal bests, one season's best, one event win and four scoring finishes (top eight) at the meet.
The Huskies open their outdoor season on Friday, March 27 at the ESU Spring Open, hosted by Emporia State at Francis G. Welch Stadium in Emporia, Kansas.
SCSU Track & Field Schedule
For all the latest on St. Cloud State Track & Field, stay tuned to SCSUHuskies.com and follow the team on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
"We're excited about the momentum our group is building," said third-year head coach Gabrielle Brown. "This team has shown a strong commitment to the process and continues to compete for one another. I'm looking forward to seeing how the Huskies build on the progress we made during the indoor season as we head into outdoor competition."
Ottah, the Huskies track athlete to watch, competed in the 60, 200, 300 and 400 meters during her first collegiate indoor season. She was a member of the 4x400 relay team that finished in eighth place at the NSIC Indoor Championships after running a season best time of 4:03.90. It was her first time scoring at a conference championship.
"Efe has made a strong impression in her first year with our program," said Brown. "She shows up every day ready to work, brings great energy to practice, and is constantly looking for ways to improve. Her work ethic and willingness to learn have made her someone we're excited to watch continue developing throughout the outdoor season."
Woelfel, the Huskies field athlete to watch, competed in the pole vault during the indoor season. She won the event in two of the four meets she competed in, set a lifetime best in the event at the Snowshoe Open (Minnesota) on Feb. 20 (3.62m/11-10.5) and finished tied for fifth place at the NSIC Indoor Championships after clearing 3.61m/11-10 to score 3.5 points for the team. It was her first time scoring at a conference championship.
"Lauren made an immediate impact for us during the indoor season, scoring at the NSIC Championships while also competing in swim and dive," said Brown. "We're excited to see what she can do this outdoor season now that she's able to focus fully on track and continue building on the progress she showed indoors."
NSIC Release
SCSU outperformed its preseason projection at the NSIC Indoor Championships by five places, finishing 10th at the meet that was hosted by Minnesota State at Myers Field House in Mankato on February 27-28. Graduate jumper Elena Martinez-Rodriguez (Madrid, Spain) led the charge for the Huskies, scoring 14 of the team's 18.5 points in the meet including 10 points for winning the high jump on day one. In total, SCSU posted seven personal bests, one season's best, one event win and four scoring finishes (top eight) at the meet.
The Huskies open their outdoor season on Friday, March 27 at the ESU Spring Open, hosted by Emporia State at Francis G. Welch Stadium in Emporia, Kansas.
SCSU Track & Field Schedule
For all the latest on St. Cloud State Track & Field, stay tuned to SCSUHuskies.com and follow the team on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Players Mentioned
Sprints / Jumps
/ Women's Track & Field
Sprints
/ Women's Track & Field
Pole Vault
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