Carson-Newman's Jordan Named SAC Men's Outdoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year

ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com) – Carson-Newman's Rylan Jordan has been named the 2026 South Atlantic Conference Men's Outdoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year, the Conference office announced on Wednesday (June 3).

Jordan, a sophomore sprinter from Johnson City, Tennessee, put together one of the most impressive seasons in NCAA Division II track and field, earning Athlete of the Meet honors at the 2026 South Atlantic Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships and collecting First Team All-America honors in three events.

Jordan capped his season by helping Carson-Newman capture the NCAA Division II National Championship in the 4x100-meter relay, running the anchor leg on the Eagles' title-winning squad that posted a time of 39.30 seconds, the second-fastest mark in Division II this season. He also earned an individual bronze medal in the 100-meter dash at the NCAA Championships and finished fourth nationally in the 200 meters.

At the conference level, Jordan claimed the SAC championship in the 200-meter dash with a time of 20.44 seconds, the fastest Division II performance of the season, while also finishing as the conference runner-up in the 100 meters. His performances throughout the season established him as one of the premier sprinters in the nation and helped lead Carson-Newman to a successful outdoor campaign.

The SAC Men's Outdoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year award is determined following the completion of the NCAA Division II Outdoor National Championships and is voted on by the league's head coaches.