Rock Hill, S.C.----Wingate University cross country and track and field superstar Luca Poppe ('26, Zwolle, the Netherlands) is the 2025-26 South Atlantic Conference men's Athlete of the Year. The league's 12 athletic directors vote on the award which is given to the league's top athlete.
 
Poppe collected three individual national championships and one team crown during his senior season. He won the 5000 meters (14:06.27) in the '26 NCAA outdoor national championship meet in May. In the winter, Poppe won two gold medals at the '26 indoor national championship event by finishing first in the 3000 meters (7:57.14) and the 5000 meters (13:47.22).
 
Wingate's J. Howard Williams Award winner for Athlete of the Year, Poppe started his magical senior campaign by leading the Bulldogs to the '25 cross country national championship. Wingate has won two NCAA XC titles in the last three seasons.
 
Poppe won two gold medals at the '26 NCAA Division II indoor national championship meet in Virginia Beach, taking the checkered flag in the 3000 meters (7:57.14) and the 5000 meters (13:47.22). On the team front, Poppe and his mates finished first, third and 10th in their three NCAA appearances this year.
 
What They Are Saying
Wingate head cross country and assistant track and field coach Pol Domenech
 
"Luca's season was nothing short of extraordinary. Winning three NCAA individual championships while helping lead our team to a national cross country title is an accomplishment that reflects years of hard work, sacrifice and belief in the process. We couldn't be prouder of everything he has achieved. This honor is a fitting recognition of one of the greatest athletic seasons in Wingate history."
 
Wingate XCTF alumnus Luca Poppe ('26)
 
"I was so happy to take my third individual title of the year in my last Wingate race! I couldn't have asked for a better place to develop athletic and academic wise."
 
"I keep reminding myself about a quote I found this past semester … 'don't be yesterday's news.' This quote helps me pursue my dream of getting a pro contract in running. By continuing to train hard, winning races and simply showing up, I believe I won't become yesterday's news and make my dream a reality."
 
"This was especially relevant the day after my 5000 meters indoor title, where I showed up at the 3000 meters 24 hours later and needed to perform at my absolute best again. All I could do was not becoming yesterday's news … I think everything worked out well."
 
What's next for Luca Poppe
 
Poppe will continue his training under Pol Domenech's tutelage. He is pursuing a professional running contract back in Europe. Poppe's training will focus on road races this fall, when he will compete in two Spanish races: the Valencia 10K and the Barcelona half marathon. "I am excited to see what I can do on these distances," Poppe says.
 
The Luca Poppe file
 
- SAC and Southeast Region Indoor Track Athlete of the Year in 2026
- Finished 15th in the '25 NCAA cross country championship meet
- Collected four first team All-American trophies in 2025-26
- Helped WU DMR establish a new all-time NCAA record this year (9:29.69)
- The Bulldogs posted this mark in February's Battle for Boston
- Wingate finished second in the USTFCCCA's 2025-26 Program of the Year
- The 'Dogs finished first, third and 10th in three 2025-26 NCAA appearances
- For his career, Poppe has eight All-American honors
 
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 18 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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