WILMINGTON, N.C. – The NCAA announced that UNCW senior Cameron Wright and graduate student Ivan Poag have qualified for the NCAA Preliminaries, scheduled for May 27-30 in Lexington, Kentucky.
"This is everything we train for. I'm so proud of Cam and Ivan", said Head Coach Jeff Klaves. "Not only representing the program, but being in this moment once again, both of them have now earned back-to-back bids here to the NCAA 1st rounds, the East Preliminary. And I look forward to them showing all the hard work they've put in. A moment I want to share just from practice yesterday is them continuing to find their learning opportunities. We call it our win or learn mentality. Cam was learning how to attack the hurdle better. Ivan was learning how to time up his rhythm of his bounds of his jump better, and through the end, we're gonna continue to chase and find opportunities to get better. Looking forward to them showcasing their experience, their poise under pressure, and representing the brands. These are those moments. Thank you to all of those who have helped put out team in this position, to represent UNCW and our Track and Field program at the highest level of our sport. Everyone and everything matters. Let's go Hawks!"
Wright earns his second consecutive trip to the NCAA Prelims after qualifying in 2025. Last season, Wright placed 30th overall in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 14.11 at the regional meet.
During the 2026 outdoor season, Wright earned Coastal Athletic Association Men's Track Athlete of the Week honors twice, receiving the award on April 14 and May 5. Throughout the season, Wright continued to climb the program record book in the 110-meter hurdles. At this year's CAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship, Wright finished fourth overall with a 13.87 time, putting him at the third-best time in program history.
At the CAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, Wright placed fourth in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 13.91 seconds. He enters the NCAA East First Round ranked 45th in the event.
Poag also returns to the NCAA East Preliminaries for the second consecutive season after qualifying in the triple jump in 2025.
Most recently, Poag captured the CAA title in the men's triple jump with a mark of 49 feet, 9 1/4 inches. Earlier this season at the Duke Invitational, Poag recorded a personal-best leap of 50 feet, 5 1/2 inches, the second-best mark in program history.
In addition to his conference title in the triple jump, Poag earned a runner-up finish in the long jump at the CAA Championships with a mark of 24 feet, 3 inches. He was also named the CAA Most Outstanding Field Performer at the Championship for the second consecutive year and earned CAA Field Athlete of the Week honors on April 14.
Poag enters the NCAA East First Round ranked 48th nationally in the triple jump.
