NEW ORLEANS, La. – The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) recently announced its Regional Athletes of the Year as well as its All-Region honorees for the 2026 Division III men's indoor track & field season. Ohio Wesleyan University junior jumper Connor Smith was recognized as the Great Lakes Regional Field Athlete of the Year coming off of his national championship in the high jump last week. Smith also earned Great Lakes All-Region recognition alongside fellow junior Dylan Harper and sophomore Nate Snead.

Smith secured Great Lakes Regional Athlete of the Year as well as Great Lakes All-Region with his performance in the high jump this season. His all-region honor is his second. He was the top regional performer in the regular season with a mark of 2.06 meters set at the OWU Team Challenge, ultimately booking himself a trip to the 2026 NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships in Birmingham, Alabama. In Birmingham he would jump his way to a national championship with a final mark of 2.12 meters (6' 11½") – passing on his first attempt. He is the first OWU male athlete to win an individual track & field championship since 2002.

Harper earned all-region honors in the 60-meter hurdles – his first in the event. He put up an Ohio Wesleyan record time of 8.10 at the NCAC Indoor Track & Field Championships, also earning himself a spot in the national championships in Birmingham where he would finish 19th with a time of 8.47.

Snead secured all-region honors in both the 60-meter dash and the 200-meter dash – his first two all-region selections. He finished first in both events at the NCAC Championships, turning in record times of 6.85 and 21.54 for both OWU and the NCAC.

The three Bishops begin the outdoor season at the Washington & Lee Carnival this weekend.