Virginia Tech Track & Field Poised for NCAA Indoor Championships
BLACKSBURG, Va. – The Virginia Tech track and field team is gearing up for the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, set to accept place in Fayetteville, Ark., on March 13-14. The Hokies will send six athletes to compete across five different events, building on the momentum from strong performances at the ACC Indoor Championships.
Sistermann Leads the Way in Pole Vault
Chiara Sistermann will represent Virginia Tech in the women’s pole vault. Her 2026 season has been marked by a second-place finish at the ACC Indoor Championships, earning her First Team All-ACC honors for the third year in a row. Sistermann cleared 4.45 meters to secure silver and add to her career total of five All-ACC accolades. She is currently ranked 13th nationally in the indoor qualifying list.
Couttie’s Versatility Shines
George Couttie will be a busy competitor for the men’s team, participating in the mile, 3,000 meters, and as a member of the Distance Medley Relay (DMR) squad. Couttie currently holds the second-fastest time in the nation for the mile, having broken his own program record with a time of 3:52.02. He also holds the school record in the 3,000 meters (7:36.74), ranking fifth nationally. He is a 2025 Second-Team All-American in the 3,000 meters.
DMR Team Eyes National Recognition
The Hokies’ DMR team has demonstrated exceptional performance, achieving the third-best all-time collegiate performance earlier this year. The team, comprised of Dylan DeCambre (1,200m – 2:49.52), Calvin Meyer (400m – 46.92), Christian Jackson (800m – 1:45.41), and George Couttie (1,600m – 3:53.26), posted a program-record time of 9:15.05 at the Saucony Battle for Boston, finishing second only to Oregon (9:14.88). This performance surpassed the previous school record of 9:19.88 and positions them as a strong contender at the NCAA Championships.
Paris Returns to the National Stage in Heptathlon
Nate Paris will compete in the heptathlon, returning to the national championships after earning Second Team All-America honors at last year’s NCAA Indoor Championships. He secured a silver medal at the ACC Indoor Championships with a career-best 5,821 points, earning his first First Team All-ACC honor. Paris excelled in multiple events, including personal bests in the 60 meters (6.81), long jump (7.10 meters), shot set (13.07 meters), and high jump (2.00 meters) during the ACC competition.
Day Two Heptathlon Highlights
Paris continued his strong performance on the second day of the ACC Championships, achieving personal bests in the 60-meter hurdles (7.99), pole vault (4.50 meters), and 1,000 meters (2:45.51), ultimately securing second place overall.
Meet Information
For complete details regarding the 2026 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, please visit the official meet information webpage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where are the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships being held?
A: Fayetteville, Ark.
Q: When are the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships?
A: March 13-14, 2026.
Q: Which Virginia Tech athlete is ranked second nationally?
A: George Couttie in the mile.
Q: How many athletes are representing Virginia Tech at the championships?
A: Six.
