NEW ORLEANS – Three members of the Missouri Southern track and field program earned 2026 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Central Region honors from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA), the organization announced Monday. Cedric Pearson was named the Central Region Men's Field Athlete of the Year, while Bryan Schiding earned Central Region Men's & Women's Head Coach of the Year honors and Brian Allen was selected as the Central Region Men's & Women's Assistant Coach of the Year.

Cedric Pearson | Central Region Men's Field Athlete of the Year
Cedric Pearson highlighted his 2026 season with a national championship in the men's shot put (18.85m) at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships, where he delivered a First Team All-America performance to claim the top spot on the national stage.

Pearson also added a strong showing in the discus throw (54.75m) at the NCAA Championships, finishing fifth overall to earn additional First Team All-America honors and contribute valuable points for the Lions in Emporia, Kansas.

Throughout the outdoor season, Pearson secured MIAA Champion honors in the shot put (18.54m), posting a career-best mark of 19.09m that ranks second in the Missouri Southern record books. In the discus, he added three titles throughout the season and recorded a career-best throw of 56.55m, which stands fifth all-time in program history.

Pearson was also named MIAA Men's Outdoor Field Athlete of the Week on April 7 and earned All-MIAA honors in the shot put and discus as well as USTFCCCA All-Region recognition in the shot put and discus throw, capping a season defined by conference success, national impact, and consistent high-level performances.

Bryan Schiding | Central Region Men's & Women's Head Coach of the Year
Brian Allen | Central Region Men's & Women's Assistant Coach of the Year
The Missouri Southern coaching staff guided both programs through one of the most accomplished seasons in program history, as the Lions delivered sustained success across both conference and national competition during the 2026 outdoor campaign. The women finished as MIAA runners-up with 123.5 points, while the men also claimed runner-up honors with 129.75 points, marking one of the strongest combined conference performances in Missouri Southern history.

At the MIAA Outdoor Championships, Missouri Southern delivered multiple signature moments, including a dominant 1-2-3 sweep in the men's long jump and a 1-2-3 sweep in the women's shot put, fueling both teams' runner-up finishes and showcasing the depth of the program across event areas. The Lions also produced eight MIAA champions, as Phillip Jefferson (men's 400m hurdles), Donovyn Fowler (men's long jump), Dailynn VanDeren (women's shot put), Cedric Pearson (men's shot put), Briar Gillum (women's discus), Jamale Williams (men's discus), Keilee Johnson (women's javelin), and Manuel Campana (men's javelin) each earned conference titles. Overall, Missouri Southern collected 22 All-MIAA selections across the meet.

At the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships, the Lions continued their success on the national stage. The men placed third overall with 45 points, while the women tied for third with 40 points to secure the highest national finish in program history and the program's first NCAA team trophy on the women's side.

Missouri Southern produced three NCAA Division II National Champions during the outdoor season, including Cedric Pearson in the men's shot put, Adrianne Casey in the women's javelin throw, and Dailynn VanDeren in the women's shot put. The Lions also combined for 28 All-America honors, including 16 First Team and 12 Second Team selections, while collecting 22 USTFCCCA All-Region honors.


Each of the eight regions—Atlantic, Central, East, Midwest, South, South Central, Southeast and West—honored both gender's top track and field athletes, along with head coaches and assistant coaches of the year.

Award winners were determined by a vote of USTFCCCA member coaches following the conclusion of the 2026 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Emporia, Kansas. Performances from both the national championships and the regular season were considered, and only student-athletes and coaches from USTFCCCA member programs were eligible for honors.