NCAA Championships Performance Nets Zach Kehler First-Team All-American Honors

EMPORIA, Kan. – University of Tampa men's track student-athlete Zach Kehler competed in the finals of the 800 meters on Saturday at the 2026 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Welch Stadium.

The senior from Austin, Texas, finished eighth overall nationally with a time of 1:59.04 in the championship final, earning a team point for the Spartans at the national meet.

With his finish, Kehler earned First Team All-American honors, becoming just the fourth All-American in the University of Tampa men's track program history. He joins Gabe McConville (800 meters, 2025) and Shane Cohen, who earned All-American honors in the 800 meters in both 2021 and 2022.

Kehler opened the race with a 53.68 split through the first 400 meters before completing the event in 1:59.04. Kehler also held an early lead in the national championship race.

Kehler qualified for the championship final following a strong performance in Friday's preliminary round, where he posted a time of 1:49.56 to advance.

The appearance capped another successful season for the Spartan middle-distance runner, who represented Tampa on the national stage in the NCAA Division II Championship meet.