Gardner-Webb Trio Headed to 2026 NCAA East Regional Championships
Gardner-Webb Trio Headed to 2026 NCAA East Regional Championships
LEXINGTON, KY — Following a standout 2026 outdoor track and field campaign, Gardner-Webb University is preparing to send three exceptional athletes to the 2026 NCAA East Regional Championships. Paige Boyd, Quentin Peterson, and Joshua Powell each earned regional qualification after delivering remarkable performances throughout the season and at the Big South Outdoor Championships.
The trio will now compete against some of the nation’s best collegiate athletes with hopes of securing a coveted place at the NCAA National Championships scheduled for June.
Paige Boyd Earns First NCAA East Regional Appearance
Fresh off a breakthrough outdoor season, Paige Boyd will represent Gardner-Webb in the women’s high jump competition at her first NCAA East Regional Championships.
Boyd captured her first-ever Big South Outdoor Championship title after clearing 1.74 meters during the conference meet. That impressive jump also moved her to No. 3 on the all-time Gardner-Webb performance list.
Her consistency and growth throughout the 2026 season have positioned her as one of the top high jump competitors in the region.
Quentin Peterson Continues Dominant Throwing Season
Quentin Peterson returns to the NCAA East Regional Championships after another historic season in the throwing events.
Peterson previously earned Second Team All-American honors during the indoor season and competed at the NCAA Indoor National Championships. He carried that momentum into outdoor competition, once again dominating the Big South Conference.
At the 2026 Big South Outdoor Championships, Peterson secured two conference titles:
- Shot Put: 19.60 meters (school record)
- Discus Throw: 55.68 meters
His performances reinforced his status as one of the conference’s elite field athletes while continuing to rewrite the Gardner-Webb record books.
Joshua Powell Makes Regional Debut in Long Jump
Joshua Powell will also make his first NCAA East Regional Championships appearance after an outstanding year in the men’s long jump.
Powell finished second at the Big South Outdoor Championships with a leap of 7.48 meters, one of the top marks in school history.
Earlier in the season, Powell delivered a career-best performance at the Big South-SoCon Challenge, winning the event with a jump of 7.70 meters.
That mark:
- Ranked as the best performance in the Big South at the time
- Set a new Gardner-Webb program record
- Became the sixth-best mark in Big South Conference history
Powell’s emergence has made him one of the most exciting long jump athletes to watch entering the regional meet.
2026 NCAA East Regional Championships Schedule
The Gardner-Webb athletes are scheduled to compete on the following dates:
- Joshua Powell – Men’s Long Jump: May 27 at 6:00 PM
- Quentin Peterson – Men’s Shot Put: May 27 at 6:30 PM
- Paige Boyd – Women’s High Jump: Friday and Saturday
Gardner-Webb Track and Field Eyes NCAA Nationals
With multiple conference champions, school records, and nationally recognized performances, Gardner-Webb enters the NCAA East Regional Championships with strong momentum.
Boyd, Peterson, and Powell have each demonstrated the ability to compete at an elite level throughout the 2026 season. Their performances in Lexington could secure the next step in their collegiate careers — a trip to the NCAA National Championships.
Key Takeaway: Gardner-Webb’s success at the 2026 NCAA East Regional Championships highlights the program’s continued rise in collegiate track and field, fueled by record-breaking performances and conference championship victories.