ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Last week, junior Zeke Hagley competed once again at the 2026 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championships hosted by UNC Asheville.
 
Hagley qualified in two events for this national championship. On Day One Zeke competed in the men's hammer throw. The AAC individual champion came into the competition seeded 22^nd.
 
Hagley ended up finishing 13^th on the day with a mark of 54.51m (178'10") just a few centimeters shy of his personal best. 
 
With a day off on Thursday, Hagley came back on Friday to compete in the men's discus. This was a much more challenging event for the entire field. As warm-up started so did the rain, changing the grip of the disc and the feel of the ring. Seeded 15^th in the competition, Hagley threw a mark of 45.36m (148'10") to finish 13^th on the day. 
 
Afterward the competition, throws Coach Dave Espinoza said, "Zeke always resents UPIKE great at competitions from many competitors and coaches from around the county and always tell me how nice of human he is. 
 
"It's hard to stay at such a high level of so long in track & field. He had over a month of training between the AAC championship and nationals, and to stay locked in both physically and mentally is tough. Year in and year out Zeke is able to do that."
 
Hagley accomplishments for the 2025-2026 season include:
 

• Indoor and outdoor national qualifier in the weight throw, hammer throw, discus 
• 2026 AAC Indoor and Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year
• 2026 AAC weight throw champion
• 2026 AAC hammer throw champion
• 2026 All-AAC Indoor and Outdoor in the shot put, weight throw, hammer throw and discus
• AAC championship record set in the hammer throw
• UPIKE school record set discus 
• USTFCCCA Indoor and Outdoor All-Academic Team