BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — North Central opened the 2026 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Men’s Indoor Track & Field Championship by establishing an early lead Friday at the Shirk Center on the campus of Illinois Wesleyan University. 
 
The Cardinals, the top choice in the pre-championship coaches’ poll, scored in each of the day’s five events and sit in position after the opening session as they continue their pursuit of a ninth consecutive conference title.
 
NCC leads the team standings with 54.5 points through five scored events. Carthage is second with 37 points, followed by host Illinois Wesleyan in third with 31. Augustana sits fourth with 29 points, while Carroll (17), Millikin (13.5), Wheaton (12) and Elmhurst (1) complete the standings after day one.
 
The Cardinals added to their point total in the evening by winning the 4,000-meter distance medley relay. The North Central quartet of Aidan Armstrong, Will Splant, Brayden Groenenboom and BJ Sorg posted a time of 10:13.22, a mark that currently ranks No. 24 in NCAA Division III.
 
Carthage collected two event titles during the opening day. Jacob Curulewski won the 5,000-meter run in 14:44.46, while Tyler Rose claimed the weight throw with a winning mark of 18.68 meters.
 
Additional event victories were recorded by Illinois Wesleyan and Carroll. IWU’s Isaac Whitaker won the pole vault after clearing 4.66 meters, and Carroll’s Carlos Cadet captured the long jump title with a leap of 6.96 meters.
 
The championship concludes Saturday with 12 events remaining. Saturday’s schedule begins at 11 a.m. with the conclusion of the heptathlon, followed by track finals in the 60-meter dash, 400 meters, 800 meters and the mile. The meet will close with the 4x400-meter relay at 5:10 p.m.