Chikomba Named USTFCCCA Men’s National Field Athlete of the Year
Jun 22, 2026 | Track & Field
This is the first national honor for the men's team, the second for K-State since 2015
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Junior Tah Chikomba was named the National Men's Field Athlete of the Year on Monday (June 22) as announced by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). Chikomba is just the second Wildcat to earn the honor, the first for the men's team, since Akela Jones was named the Women's Field Athlete of the Year in 2015.
Chikomba was crowned the outdoor champion in the long jump at the NCAA Champion on June 10 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. He jumped 8.37m (27' 5.5"), the furthest jump to win the title since 2018, and improving his own school record. He became just the second Wildcat to win an outdoor long jump title, the first was in 1951 when Herb Hoskins won at 7.41m.
He was also crowned the winner at the Big 12 Championship, jumping 8.27m (27' 1.75"), the newest Big 12 conference record and Drachman Stadium (Arizona) facility record.
During the NCAA West Preliminary on May 27, Chikomba jumped 8.75m (28' 8.5")(3.2) which is the #1 all-time all-conditions in the NCAA and #7 all-time all-conditions in world history.
This is the second USTFCCCA award for the native of Zimbabwe, he was previously named the Midwest Region Field Athlete of the Year on June 18. Chikomba was named to The Bowerman watch list on June 4, the semifinalists will be announced on Thursday, June 25.
Other USTFCCCA national honorees for the men include Ja'Kobe Tharp (Auburn) as Track Athlete of the Year, Ken Harnden (Auburn) as Assistant Coach of the Year and Doug Case (Arkansas) as Coach of the Year. On the women's side, Axelina Johansson (Nebraska) as Field Athlete of the Year, Adaejah Hodge (Georgia) and Sanu Jallow-Lockhart (Arkansas) as Co-Track Athletes of the Year, Karim Abdel Wahab (Georgia) as Assistant Coach of the Year and Caryl Smith Gilbert (Georgia) as Coach of the Year.
How to follow the 'Cats: For complete information on the K-State Track and Field and Cross Country Teams, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
Chikomba was crowned the outdoor champion in the long jump at the NCAA Champion on June 10 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. He jumped 8.37m (27' 5.5"), the furthest jump to win the title since 2018, and improving his own school record. He became just the second Wildcat to win an outdoor long jump title, the first was in 1951 when Herb Hoskins won at 7.41m.
He was also crowned the winner at the Big 12 Championship, jumping 8.27m (27' 1.75"), the newest Big 12 conference record and Drachman Stadium (Arizona) facility record.
During the NCAA West Preliminary on May 27, Chikomba jumped 8.75m (28' 8.5")(3.2) which is the #1 all-time all-conditions in the NCAA and #7 all-time all-conditions in world history.
This is the second USTFCCCA award for the native of Zimbabwe, he was previously named the Midwest Region Field Athlete of the Year on June 18. Chikomba was named to The Bowerman watch list on June 4, the semifinalists will be announced on Thursday, June 25.
Other USTFCCCA national honorees for the men include Ja'Kobe Tharp (Auburn) as Track Athlete of the Year, Ken Harnden (Auburn) as Assistant Coach of the Year and Doug Case (Arkansas) as Coach of the Year. On the women's side, Axelina Johansson (Nebraska) as Field Athlete of the Year, Adaejah Hodge (Georgia) and Sanu Jallow-Lockhart (Arkansas) as Co-Track Athletes of the Year, Karim Abdel Wahab (Georgia) as Assistant Coach of the Year and Caryl Smith Gilbert (Georgia) as Coach of the Year.
-- k-statesports.com --
How to follow the 'Cats: For complete information on the K-State Track and Field and Cross Country Teams, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
Players Mentioned
/ Track & Field
Wednesday, June 17
Monday, June 15
Thursday, June 11
Wednesday, June 10
