Albany State University sends multiple athletes to NCAA Division II Track Championships

Staff Reports

ALBANY — Albany State University will send several athletes to the 2026 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships after a strong outdoor season by both the Golden Rams’ men’s and women’s programs.

The national meet is scheduled for May 21-24 at Francis G. Welch Stadium in Emporia, Kansas, where Albany State athletes will compete against some of the top Division II competitors in the country.

Junior sprinters Cadence Cray and Chavondria Crimes earned national qualifying spots in the women’s 100-meter dash after standout performances throughout the season. Cray also qualified in the women’s 200-meter dash, giving her two events at the national championships.

Albany State’s women’s 4×100-meter relay team also secured a berth to nationals. The relay squad includes Crimes, Cray, Princess Okoye and TyAsia Brown.

On the men’s side, sophomore Adoni Nembhard-Belcher qualified for the national championships in the 400-meter dash after a strong outdoor campaign highlighted by several impressive finishes.

Nembhard-Belcher will also compete as part of Albany State’s men’s 4×100-meter relay team, which earned a national berth during the outdoor season. The relay team includes Demario Jackson, Jace Weaver, Sanaljay Bentley and Nembhard-Belcher.

The national qualifiers continue a successful season for Albany State’s track and field programs and highlight the growth of the Golden Rams on the national stage.

Competing at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships is considered one of the highest achievements in collegiate track and field and represents months of preparation and training throughout the season.

Now, Albany State will turn its focus toward preparing for the national meet as the Golden Rams look to compete for All-American honors against the best athletes in Division II.