Although Greenville University was predicted by league coaches to run their championship streak to seven, their lead in the poll was closer than previous years. Greenville finished atop the poll with 64 points, including six first-place votes. The Panthers have won every indoor title in conference history and seven straight outdoor championships. Noel Andino won silver in the 400meter outdoor race while Eric Mitchell was the silver medalist in the outdoor shot put. Other returners to watch will be Mason Clayton, Jamarion Cobbins, Neko Gibson, and Ben Wilcoxen. Freshman Kaden Einhorn will look to carry over his success in cross country, as SLIAC champion this past fall, to the spring and the track. Other new faces to the program that could make an impact are Gavin Baldwin, Leonard Bratton, Kyle Cooley, William Cress, Ty Kellum, Jared Klein, Jaylin Morrow, William Patzia, and Keenan Powell.
Webster University finished second with 55 points, accumulating two first-place votes. The Gorloks took 2nd place in both the indoor and outdoor conference championships last season. Dylan Patterson returns as the conference's fastest man, winning both the 60 meters and 100 meters last season. The Gorloks boast two of the league's top pole vaulters in Mark Govero and Elijah Bohler while Austin Merritt is the SLIAC record holder in the heptathlon. Nkunim Kouame is an All-Conference performer in the high jump while Ethan Nieroda will be active in distance events. Lucas Larue, the Indoor Track Freshman of the Year, is back to lead the team in hurdles.
Principia College comes in third with 53 points and received the remaining first-place nod. Coming off 3rd place finishes in both the outdoor and indoor championships, Principia is primed to make some noise in 2026. They have experienced athletes returning along with some new additions to fill out depth. Nana Koranteng is the headliner of the list of returners. He claimed gold in both the triple jump and 400 meters last year while qualifying for indoor nationals in the triple jump. Mark Fisher and Marc-Quan Daniels give the program a strong pair of throwers, holding four medals combined. Zach Proctor and Kennett Rampley will lead the team's list of middle and distance runners. New faces to watch are MiKing Ettress, Ashtun Baker, Amos Ostler, Chris Clark, Eziuche Ejimadu, and Tyler Standridge.
Spalding University was picked fourth, totaling 40 points. The program will be led by distance runners Wyatt Frye, Caleb Stinson, and Tobias Rice; all of whom have grabbed at least one medal in previous years. Also back are Chad Dahl and Jack Muncaster. Top newcomers include Javier Manon, Levi Chesser, and Drew Cox.
WIth 36 points, Lyon College placed fifth on the poll. The Scots will look to improve upon their 4th place (outdoor) and 5th place (indoor) finishes from last season. Jakobe Alcorn is a well-rounded athlete that has competed in the hurdles, high jump, and javelin. Noah Cordes and Avery Sterling also compete in the hurdles and head up the list of returners with Alcorn.
MUW received 31 points, putting them squarely in sixth on the voting. The Owls will be led by Outdoor Track Freshman of the Year Cortland Earl. Earl picked up a pair of medals in hurdles last season. Noek Kellum is one of the top returning throwers in the conference after finishing 2nd in the discus and 4th in the javelin last spring. Jailon Warner and JaKobe Smith are the team's top returning sprinters. Malachi Morgan, Jarvis Sellers, Sam Lamy, Mikendall Morros, Bryson Boler, Kawan Powell, Jaylin Shelton, Nicholas Martin, Jonathan Turner, James Nesby, and D'Mar Battles are additions to the depth the program.
Westminster College sits seventh with 18 points. Weston Jennings heads up the Blue Jays jumpers. Among the newcomers to the program are Nik Thieman, Aidian Szczodroski, and Colton Sinclair.
Blackburn College placed eighth with 16 points. The Beavers are coached by Noah Daum and will build the program around a trio of returners in Byron McNeil, Collyn Oberkfell, and Sam Burrows. McNeil placed 4th in the triple jump last season, just missing out on becoming the Beavers All-Conference performer in track and field. Oberkfell and Burrows will be the team leaders in middle and distance events. Newcomers to the program are Tristan Toss, Kendrik Troutt, and Leland Branstner.
Wrapping up the men's side of the voting is Eureka College with 13 points. The Red Devils finished 7th at the indoor championships and 8th at the outdoor last season and are coached by Chris Robinson.