Hannah Leininger Sets USCAA Record to Lead Strong Nationals Showing

Penn State Schuylkill Track & Field wrapped up its 2026 season with an outstanding two-day performance at the USCAA Track & Field National Championships 2026 hosted at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, showcasing a program on the rise with multiple personal bests, podium finishes, and a record-breaking performance.

The headline moment came from freshman standout Hannah Leininger, who captured the national title in the javelin with a record-setting throw of 35.91m (117-9), establishing a new USCAA Championship record and cementing herself as one of the top young talents in the country.

Schuylkill saw tremendous success across both days with numerous top-8 finishes:

• Tyrone Chambers – 1st, High Jump (1.91m)

• Megan Hauser – 1st, Discus (32.34m); 2nd, Shot Put (10.37m); 7th, Javelin

• Hannah Leininger – 1st, Javelin (35.91m, USCAA Record); 10th, Discus; 10th, Shot Put

• Ashton Owens – 2nd, 3000m Steeplechase (10:49.81); 5th, 400m Hurdles

• Lilley Anderson – 3rd, 5000m (20:48.32); 3rd, 10,000m (45:45.81)

• Lee Newton – 3rd, 400m (50.82)

• Ryan Galen – 4th, Discus (40.06m); 5th, Shot Put (11.69m)

• Evelyne Larose – 4th, Long Jump (5.05m); 7th, Triple Jump

• Lainey Dusel – 4th, Javelin (28.16m); 7th, Discus

• Madison Warnack – 5th, 200m; 7th, 400m; 8th, 200m qualifier

• Bryce Hensley – 7th, Long Jump

• Abigail Smithnosky – 8th, 10,000m

• Women's 4x100 Relay – 5th

• Men's 4x400 Relay – 4th

• Men's 4x100 Relay – 6th

In addition to the on-track success, junior standout Ashton Owens was honored as the USCAA Student-Athlete of the Year, recognizing his exceptional achievements both competitively and academically, along with his impact on campus and in the community. Owens continues to represent the very best of Penn State Schuylkill Athletics, embodying dedication, leadership, and character in every aspect.

This championship meet marked the final event of the season for a team that consistently improved throughout the year, recording numerous personal bests and building a strong foundation for the future. With a young and driven roster, the success at nationals is just the beginning for this rising program.

Full Results – Penn State Schuylkill Performances

Men's Track Events

• 100m: Ronald Kanyangarara (11.71, 18th, PB); AJ Mieles (12.02, 22nd); Frank Shubeck (13.02, 32nd); Thomas Brown (15.65, 36th)

• 200m: Lee Newton (23.32, 14th); Ronald Kanyangarara (23.76, 17th, PB); AJ Mieles (24.60, 22nd); Mario Ortiz (24.69, 23rd); Thomas Brown (31.27, 39th)

• 400m: Lee Newton (50.82, 3rd, PB); Mario Ortiz (55.15, 11th, PB); Francisco Ortiz (55.35, 12th); David Hauer (58.32, 20th, PB); Ronald Kanyangarara (58.88, 21st)

• 800m: Francisco Ortiz (2:13.28, 10th); Bryce Hensley (2:29.42, 17th); Connor Troutman (2:42.49, 20th)

• 1500m: Bryce Hensley (4:47.65, 13th, PB); Ashton Owens (4:50.63, 16th); Connor Troutman (5:45.27, 22nd)

• 3000m Steeple: Ashton Owens (10:49.81, 2nd, PB)

• 5000m: David Hauer (22:48.73, 14th)

• 110m Hurdles: Frank Shubeck (20.45, 6th)

• 400m Hurdles: Ashton Owens (1:03.85, 5th); Frank Shubeck (1:12.88, 9th)

Women's Track Events

• 100m: Madison Warnack (13.59, 13th, PB); Isabella Whitsel (15.48, 17th, PB); Katelyn Otto (15.84, 18th)

• 100m Hurdles: Isabella Whitsel (18.16, 7th)

• 200m: Madison Warnack (28.77, 5th, PB); Leah Alexander (32.48, 18th)

• 400m: Madison Warnack (1:11.21, 7th, PB); Leah Alexander (1:18.48, 8th)

• 800m: Leah Alexander (3:16.79, 14th)

• 1500m: Hanna Bulles (8:11.71, 13th, PB); Ava Eastman (8:34.92, 14th)

• 3000m Steeple: Ava Eastman (21:37.8, 6th)

• 5000m: Lilley Anderson (20:48.32, 3rd, PB); Hanna Bulles (29:14.16, 12th, PB); Ava Eastman (32:57.87, 13th, PB)

• 10,000m: Lilley Anderson (45:45.81, 3rd); Abigail Smithnosky (1:03:24.44, 8th)

Field Events

• Men's High Jump: Tyrone Chambers (1.91m, 1st)

• Men's Long Jump: Bryce Hensley (6.23m, 7th); Tyrone Chambers (5.99m, 12th)

• Men's Triple Jump: Tyrone Chambers (ND)

• Men's Discus: Ryan Galen (40.06m, 4th)

• Men's Shot Put: Ryan Galen (11.69m, 5th, PB); Bryce Hensley (9.45m, 12th)

• Men's Hammer: Ryan Galen (25.29m, 9th)

• Women's Discus: Megan Hauser (32.34m, 1st); Lainey Dusel (24.11m, 7th); Hannah Leininger (19.33m, 10th); Katelyn Otto (15.06m, 14th)

• Women's Shot Put: Megan Hauser (10.37m, 2nd); Hannah Leininger (8.55m, 10th); Lainey Dusel (8.22m, 11th); Katelyn Otto (7.74m, 13th)

• Women's Javelin: Hannah Leininger (35.91m, 1st, USCAA Record); Lainey Dusel (28.16m, 4th); Megan Hauser (23.56m, 7th)

• Women's Long Jump: Evelyne Larose (5.05m, 4th)

• Women's Triple Jump: Evelyne Larose (9.14m, 7th)

Relays

• Men's 4x100m: 46.55 (6th – Mieles, Chambers, Kanyangarara, Newton)

• Women's 4x100m: 56.21 (5th – Warnack, Whitsel, Leininger, Larose)

• Men's 4x400m: 3:37.48 (4th – F. Ortiz, M. Ortiz, Owens, Newton)

A tremendous close to the 2026 season, with records broken, podium finishes earned, and a foundation firmly in place for even greater success ahead.