Maine athletes shine at NCAA indoor track championships

Haytham Ramadan, Ryker Paradis, and Zoe Barnes lead the way for Maine competitors

Mar. 12, 2026 at 7:53pm

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Several athletes with Maine ties are set to compete at the NCAA Division III indoor track and field championships in Birmingham, Alabama this weekend. Haytham Ramadan of St. Joseph's College is the first Monks athlete to qualify for the indoor championships, while Ryker Paradis and Zoe Barnes of the University of Southern Maine will compete in the shot put. Colby College is also sending multiple athletes, including relay teams, to the national meet.

Why it matters

The strong representation of Maine athletes at the NCAA indoor championships showcases the talent and dedication of student-athletes from the state. These competitors have the opportunity to earn All-American honors and make their mark on the national stage, bringing recognition to their schools and the broader Maine sports community.

The details

Haytham Ramadan, a junior at St. Joseph's College and Deering High graduate, has qualified for the men's 800-meter run at the NCAA indoor championships. He set the Monks' program record of 1:51.99 and is seeded fifth nationally. Ryker Paradis, a freshman at the University of Southern Maine and Lewiston High graduate, has set the Huskies' shot put record multiple times this winter and is seeded 11th nationally. Zoe Barnes, a fifth-year student at USM and Gray-New Gloucester graduate, is seeded fourth in the shot put after winning the Division III New England title.

  • The NCAA Division III indoor track and field championships will take place this weekend in Birmingham, Alabama.

The players

Haytham Ramadan

A junior at St. Joseph's College and Deering High graduate who has qualified for the men's 800-meter run at the NCAA indoor championships, the first Monks athlete to do so.

Ryker Paradis

A freshman at the University of Southern Maine and Lewiston High graduate who has set the Huskies' shot put record multiple times this winter and is seeded 11th nationally.

Zoe Barnes

A fifth-year student at the University of Southern Maine and Gray-New Gloucester graduate who is seeded fourth in the shot put after winning the Division III New England title.

Colby College

The Maine college sending the largest contingent of athletes to the NCAA indoor championships, including individual competitors and relay teams.

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What they’re saying

“My mindset really changed this year. I wanted to do more, more than conference, more than New Englands. I reached out for higher goals.”

— Haytham Ramadan (centralmaine.com)

“Haytham has a natural, given talent for the 800. He has natural speed, and he has natural developable endurance. He's very clean as far as running goes. His form is very good, and he's very smooth.”

— Mike Burleson, Monks coach (centralmaine.com)

“She always thought of herself as a discus thrower — she made NCAAs twice in that event. Ranked fourth this meet is her best chance to become a first-team All-American, something she's narrowly missed in recent years.”

— Rob Whitten, USM coach (centralmaine.com)

“He should make the final and be an All-American as well. This definitely sets up the future for him. He should be at multiple NCAA championships from here on out, hopefully, and going down to being an All-American, and potentially win down the road.”

— Rob Whitten, USM coach (centralmaine.com)

What’s next

The NCAA Division III indoor track and field championships will take place this weekend in Birmingham, Alabama, where the Maine athletes will compete for All-American honors.

The takeaway

The strong representation of Maine athletes at the NCAA indoor championships demonstrates the depth of talent in the state's track and field programs. These competitors have the opportunity to shine on the national stage and bring recognition to their schools and the broader Maine sports community.