IRVING, Texas – The Tulane women and South Florida men have been selected as favorites in the American Indoor Track & Field Preseason Coaches’ Poll, as voted on by the coaches.
 
On the women’s side, Tulane topped the voting with eight first-place votes and 135 points. South Florida followed in second with 120 points and three first-place votes, while Charlotte ranked third with 118 points and one first-place vote. UTSA was picked fourth with 108 points, and Rice rounded out the top five with 103 points. East Carolina (92, one first-place vote), North Texas (76), Memphis (66), Wichita State (66), Tulsa (56), UAB (33), Florida Atlantic (25) and Temple (16) completed the poll.
 
The Green Wave enter the season looking to defend their narrow title from a year ago, when they edged UTSA by just 3.5 points. Charlotte finished third in 2025, with South Florida fourth and East Carolina fifth.
 
On the men’s side, South Florida was the unanimous choice, receiving all eight first-place votes and 64 points. Charlotte and Wichita State tied for second with 49 points, with the Shockers securing the final first-place vote. Tulsa (34) and North Texas (33) completed the top five, followed by Rice (29), UTSA (27), Memphis (25) and East Carolina (14).
 
The Bulls are aiming for their third straight American indoor title after winning the last two by an average margin of 62 points. Tulsa placed second last season, with Wichita State finishing third.
 
The American Indoor Track & Field Championships return to the Birmingham CrossPlex in Birmingham, Alabama, for the 10th consecutive year on Feb. 27–28, 2026.
 
American Conference Women’s Indoor Track & Field Coaches’ Poll
1.          Tulane (8)                    135
2.         South Florida (3)         120
3.         Charlotte (1)                118
4.         UTSA                            108
5.         Rice                             103
6.         East Carolina (1)          92
7.         North Texas                 76
8.         Memphis                     66
             Wichita State              66
10.        Tulsa                            56
11.         UAB                             33
12.        Florida Atlantic             25
13.        Temple                        16
 
# denotes first place votes
 
American Conference Men’s Indoor Track & Field Coaches’ Poll
1.          South Florida (8)         64
2.         Charlotte                     49
            Wichita State (1)          49
4.         Tulsa                            34
5.         North Texas                 33
6.         Rice                             29
7.         UTSA                            27
8.         Memphis                     25
9.         East Carolina               14
 
# denotes first place votes