Double Champions, Schumacher Win Big Ten Indoor Awards

Big Ten Indoor trophy presentation (Feb. 28)

Photo by: GoDucks.com

Double Champions, Schumacher Win Big Ten Indoor Awards

03/04/26 | Track and Field

Oregon swept the Big Ten Indoor team titles for a second-consecutive year.

EUGENE, Ore. – Silan Ayyildiz and Simeon Birnbaum have been selected the 2026 Big Ten Track Athletes of the Championship while Jerry Schumacher swept men's and women's Coach of the Year for a second-consecutive season. Oregon won the men's and women's team titles at last weekend's conference meet in Indianapolis, Ind.

Ayyildiz accounted for 28 points at last weekend's Big Ten Indoor Championships, winning the mile and 5,000 meters coupled with a runner-up finish over 3,000 meters. In the 5K, she stopped the clock in an indoor best of 15:37.90 to successfully defend her conference title and become the No. 5 performer in program history.

Birnbaum, in his debut at the Big Ten Indoor meet, was a double champion with victories in the 3,000 and 5,000 meters. He led a 1-4-5-7 finish in the 5,000 on day one, and then paced a 1-3-5 UO finish in the 3,000 to help secure the team title.

Ducks Sweep the Big Ten Indoor Championships

Along with the men's honor, Schumacher was the unanimous selection as women's coach of the year. Oregon is the first school in conference history to sweep the Big Ten Indoor team titles in back-to-back seasons. Schumacher is now a five-time Big Ten Coach of the Year.

Additionally, Aiden Carter and Katie Clute were Oregon's Sportsmanship Award honorees. The Big Ten recognizes a men's and women's student-athlete from each school who demonstrates sportsmanship and ethical behavior. Carter was the Big Ten champion in the heptathlon while Clute finished top 15 in the 3,000 and 5,000 meters.

The Big Ten Indoor Track Athlete, Field Athlete and Freshman of the Year will be announced following the NCAA Championships.

Ducks Collect 23 Entries for NCAA Indoor Championships

2026 Big Ten Indoor Awards & Postseason Honors
Men's and Women's Coach of the Year
Jerry Schumacher

Men's Track Athlete of the Championships
Simeon Birnbaum

Women's Track Athlete of the Championships
Silan Ayyildiz

All-Big Ten First Team
Men
Simeon Birnbaum
Aiden Carter

Women
Silan Ayyildiz
Juliet Cherubet
Aaliyah McCormick

All-Big Ten Second Team
Men
Elliott Cook
Cain Evans
Kai Graves-Blanks
Fuad Omer
Tomas Palfrey
Ben Smith

Women
Diana Cherotich
Liisa-Maria Lusti
Wilma Nielsen

Big Ten All-Freshman Team
Men
Ben Smith

Women
Diana Cherotich
Liisa-Maria Lusti

Big Ten Sportsmanship Award
Aiden Carter
Katie Clute

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