Schumacher Sweeps Big Ten Coaching Honors

Jerry Schumacher, Big Ten Championships celebration (May 17, 2026)

05/20/26 | Track and Field

Oregon won the men’s and women’s team titles at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships.

EUGENE, Ore. – Oregon head coach Jerry Schumacher is the 2026 Big Ten Men's and Women's Coach of the Year as announced by the conference office Wednesday afternoon. The Ducks swept the team titles at last weekend's Big Ten Outdoor Championships in Lincoln, Neb., to complete the Triple Crown sweep after both teams also won the cross country and indoor titles earlier this academic year.

Schumacher is now a nine-time conference coach of the year at Oregon including seven Big Ten honors. Between cross country, indoor and outdoor, the program has won 10 of 12 Big Ten Championships since joining the conference.

The Men of Oregon scored 121 points with the help of five conference champions—Simeon Birnbaum in the 1500, Tayson Echohawk and Luke Tewalt at 5,000 and 10,000 meters, respectively, Benjamin Balazs in the 3,000-meter steeplechase and redshirt freshman Ben Smith in the shot put.

On the women's side, the Ducks scored 91 points on day three of the meet to rally for the team title and 110 points overall. The UO women also won five Big Ten titles with Juliet Cherubet at 1500 meters, Dalia Frias at 5,000 meters, Aaliyah McCormick in the 100-meter hurdles, Sharifa Davronova in the triple jump and Marie Josee Bovele-Linaka in the discus.

Balazs and McCormick both successfully defended their titles from a year ago, while Frias' efforts led to a collection of points in the 5K that helped clinch the team title for the Women of Oregon.

Ducks Complete Big Ten Triple Crown Sweep

Additionally, seniors Ben Greene and Hannah Seubert are Oregon's Sportsmanship Award honorees. The Big Ten recognizes a men's and women's student-athlete from each school with standout sportsmanship and ethical behavior.

The Big Ten Track, Field and Freshman of the Year accolades will be announced after next month's NCAA Championships (June 10-13) at Hayward Field in Eugene. All-sessions and single-day tickets for the NCAA Championships are currently on sale.

Up Next: The postseason continues with the NCAA West First Round (May 27-30) in Fayetteville, Ark.

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

All-Big Ten First Team
Men
Benjamin Balazs, 3,000m steeplechase
Simeon Birnbaum, 1500 meters
Tayson Echohawk, 5,000 meters
Ben Smith, shot put
Luke Tewalt, 10,000 meters

Women
Marie Josee Bovele-Linaka, discus
Juliet Cherbuet, 1500 meters
Sharifa Davronova, triple jump
Dalia Frias, 5,000 meters
Aaliyah McCormick, 100m hurdles

All-Big Ten Second Team
Men
Jaelon Barbarin, 4x100m relay
Kai Graves-Blanks, 110m hurdles + 4x100m relay
PJ Ize-Iyamu, 100 meters + 4x100m relay
Daniel Thrana, javelin
Grant Valley, 4x100m relay

Women
Liisa-Maria Lusti, heptathlon

Big Ten All-Freshman Team
Men
Ben Smith

Women
Liisa-Maria Lusti

Big Ten Sportsmanship Award
Ben Greene
Hannah Seubert

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