Rock Hill, S.C.----Wingate University senior distance specialist Luca Poppe (Zwolle, The Netherlands) is the 2026 South Atlantic Conference and Southeast Region men's indoor track and field Athlete of the Year, officials announce this week. Poppe won two national championships at the NCAA Division II national championships in Virginia Beach earlier this month.
 
What They Are Saying
Wingate assistant track and field coach Pol Domenech
 
"We are incredibly proud of Luca. From personal bests and school records, to national championships and even a national record, this has been an outstanding season for him. His consistency throughout the year has been the key to his success. We're excited to see what he can accomplish in his final outdoor season representing Wingate."
 
Two days, two national titles plus one February national record
 
On Friday, March 13, Poppe won the men's 5000 meters national championship in the NCAA Division II indoor track and field championship meet inside the Virginia Beach Sports Center. Poppe's gold-medal time was 13:47.22. Two teammates joined him as first team All-Americans.
 
On Saturday, March 14, Poppe won his second national title in as many days, taking the 3000 meters gold medal. Poppe won by 0.03 seconds with his triumphant time of 7:57.14. Three teammates joined him as first team All-Americans.
 
In February, Poppe and the Wingate Distance Medley Relay (DMR) quartet set a new NCAA Division II record at the Saucony Battle for Boston with their time of 9:29.69. The Battle for Boston event was hosted by Boston University at its Track and Tennis Center.
 
Team members included:

David Holman (1200 meters)
Deon Sumpter (400 meters)
Klaus Scholz (800 meters)
Luca Poppe (1600 meters)
 
2026 Wingate indoor season quick recap
 
- Wingate sent a program-best 14 student-athletes to NCAAs March 13-14
- Senior Luca Poppe won national titles in the men's 5000 and 3000 meters
- Wingate men finished a program-best third, while the women tied for 38th
- WU earned first team AA honors in seven events at the '26 championships
- The USTFCCCA honored 42 WU student-athletes with All-Southeast Region laurels
- Both WU teams won SAC indoor titles for the fourth year in a row
 
Wingate University
 
Wingate University is a lab of difference-making that serves more than 3,400 students in North Carolina and offers 60 degree pathways, including 37 undergraduate majors, 10 pre-professional tracks and five dual-degree programs. Graduate students choose from seven master's and five doctoral programs. The University is home to the Cannon College of Arts and Sciences, the Levine College of Health Sciences, the Byrum School of Business, the Thayer School of Education and the School of Sport Sciences.
 
Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a leader in healthcare education where nearly one in five undergraduate students is preparing to be a pharmacist, physician assistant, physical therapist, occupational therapist or nurse. Student-athletes on Wingate's 30 teams compete in NCAA Division II and have brought home the SAC Echols Athletic Excellence Award the past 17 times it has been awarded. The University's motto is "Faith, Knowledge, Service." View current news and videos at www.wingate.edu.
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