ABILENE, Texas – Hardin-Simmons' Cowboy outdoor track team had eight individuals qualify for the 2026 NCAA Division III national championships in five different events hosted in La Crosse, Wis.
 
Davare Payne led the Cowboys with three selections. He will compete in the long jump, triple jump, and as an alternate in the 4x100m relay team. Payne set the HSU record in the long jump and is second in the nation with a 25-9 ft. mark. His triple jump ranks No. 18 with a 48-1 ¾ ft. mark. The long jump will be Thursday, May 21 at 1:30 p.m., while the triple jump will take place Saturday, May 23 at 10 a.m.
 
The 4x100m relay team of Donovan Simmons, Derrick Crump, Jah'Shon Williams, and Gray Albrecht ran a time of 40.97 to qualify for the NCAA championships. Kaden Landeros and Davare Payne will serve as alternates for the Cowboy 4x100m relay team. The relay prelims will be Friday, May 22 at 2:10 p.m. with the finals on Saturday.
 
Jahymeer Larkins set the Cowboy track record in the discus throw with a mark of 172-11 ft., currently No. 12 in the country. He will travel to the NCAA championships to compete on Thursday, May 21 at 1 p.m.  
 
Gunner Helm returns to the NCAA championships in the high jump for the Cowboys with a mark of 6-10 ¾ ft. He ranks No. 6 in the country and will compete in the championships on Friday, May 22 at 10 a.m.
 
The full schedule for the 2026 NCAA Division III outdoor track and field national championships can be found below:
https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/championships/sports/crosstrack/d3/outdoortf/2025-26D3XTO_ChampionshipScheduleOfEvents.pdf
 
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