Tarleton State athletes shine at 2026 NCAA Indoor National Championships

Victoria Cameron leads Texans with bronze medal performance on final day

Mar. 15, 2026 at 3:37am

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Tarleton State University's track and field teams had their best-ever finishes at the 2026 NCAA Division I Indoor National Championships. The women's team tied for 23rd overall, scoring 10 points - the most by a WAC school since 2003. The men's team scored 10 points to tie for 30th, the most by a WAC program since 2008. Sophomore Victoria Cameron earned Tarleton's first-ever top-three national finish in the women's 60-meter dash, taking bronze. The Texans also had a national champion in the men's long jump and several other All-American performances.

Why it matters

Tarleton State's strong showings at the NCAA Indoor Championships represent a major milestone for the university's track and field programs. The team finishes and individual accomplishments demonstrate the growing competitiveness and national profile of Tarleton's athletics, especially in a sport like track and field that is traditionally dominated by larger Power Five conference schools.

The details

On the final day of competition, sophomore Victoria Cameron placed third in the women's 60-meter dash, earning Tarleton's first-ever top-three national finish in that event. Cameron clocked 7.15 seconds, just 0.07 behind the national champion. Earlier in the meet, Tarleton had its first NCAA indoor national champion when a Texan won the men's long jump with a best leap of 8.21 meters. The Texans also had several other All-American performances, including a fifth-place finish in the women's long jump.

  • The 2026 NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field National Championships took place on March 14-15, 2026.
  • Victoria Cameron's bronze medal performance in the women's 60-meter dash came on the final day of competition on March 15, 2026.

The players

Victoria Cameron

A sophomore at Tarleton State University who earned the program's first-ever top-three national finish by placing third in the women's 60-meter dash at the 2026 NCAA Indoor Championships.

Tarleton State University

A public university in Stephenville, Texas that competes in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) at the NCAA Division I level. The school's track and field teams had their best-ever finishes at the 2026 NCAA Indoor Championships.

Bobby Carter

The head coach of the Tarleton State track and field programs, who led the teams to their historic performances at the 2026 NCAA Indoor Championships.

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What they’re saying

“Finishing 23rd on the women's side and 30th on the men's side at the NCAA Indoor Championships, both the best finishes in program history says a lot about the heart of this team. I couldn't be more proud of the way our athletes competed on the biggest stage. At the same time, this group isn't satisfied. We're excited about what we accomplished, but there's a real hunger in this program for much more. We'll take this momentum and come back even stronger when the outdoor season starts.”

— Bobby Carter, Head Coach

What’s next

The Tarleton State track and field teams will look to build on their indoor success when the outdoor season begins on March 19-20 at the ACU Classic.

The takeaway

Tarleton State's historic performances at the 2026 NCAA Indoor Championships, including a bronze medal and several All-American honors, demonstrate the growing national prominence of the university's track and field programs. The Texans' accomplishments on the biggest stage show the program's ability to compete with the top Division I programs in the country.