BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - After a record-setting performance at the 2026 Big South Indoor Championships, senior Quentin Peterson is preparing to take aim at NCAA Indoor Nationals, and will be one of several athletes to represent a program outside of the Power Conferences

In three days, 422 athletes will travel to Fayetteville, Arkansas, ready to compete at the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships. They will represent 98 schools and 23 conferences, each chasing their own version of success. Some will chase scoring a point for their team, while others will strive to stand on the podium, or simply prove they belong among the best athletes in the country. Many of the names expected to dominate the meet come from Power Four programs like BYU, Oregon, or Florida

Scattered throughout the championship field are athletes from smaller programs who carved out their place among the nation's elite. With the spotlight on Power Four programs, these competitors have spent the season quietly building resumes strong enough to earn a lane, a runway, or a ring of the throwing circle at the NCAA Championships

In the men's shot put, Quentin Peterson of Garden-Webb University arrives seeded fifth after a historic performance at his conference championships. Peterson launched a 20.10m throw winning the title while setting a new program record. His mark places him just 0.06 meters behind the second seed, putting him firmly in contention in a tightly packed field

Making ways for Gardner-Webb, Peterson's qualification represents a milestone moment. His is the first athlete in program history to qualify for the NCAA Indoor Championships in the Shot Put, and the University's first Indoor National qualifier in 12 years

Excerpts taken from an article by Ava Curry and FloTrack. Full article can be found here