Completed Event: Track & Field at Steve Miller Invitational on February 20, 2026 ,
Final
Track & Field
at Steve Miller Invitational
Tom Hays Named USTFCCCA Midwest Region Men’s Assistant Coach of the Year
3/19/2026 1:01:00 PM | Track & Field
LAWRENCE, Kan. — Kansas associate head coach and vertical jumps coach Tom Hays was named the 2026 Indoor Midwest Regional Men's Assistant Coach of the Year on Thursday for the fourth time in his career.
Hays helped lead the Jayhawks to two men's first team All-Americans this season, with every one of his athletes setting personal bests. His coaching was highlighted when Ashton Barkdull won the NCAA men's pole vault National Championship, clearing a personal best 5.80 meters, the second best mark in Kansas history.
Fellow pole vaulter Anthony Meacham won the Big 12 pole vault title with a personal best of 5.65 meters, and later finished sixth nationally with another personal best vault of 5.70 meters.
Bryce Barkdull also set a personal best in the pole vault, clearing 5.55 meters as a sophomore. High jumper Kierson Wicks set a new personal best in his first season with Hays, clearing 2.16 meters, the eighth best mark in KU history.
In addition to working with the vertical jump athletes, Hays assists with the multi event athletes on their jumps. Heptathletes John Swabik, Tayton Klein, Oliver Duffy and Payton Kasper all set personal bests in the pole vault this season, while Conor Dunback, Duffy and Swabik set bests in the high jump.
The award marks the fourth time Hays has won it at Kansas, also winning it in 2017, 2021 and 2024. Additionally, Hays won the 2021 outdoor season equivalent.
During his 23 seasons with the Jayhawks, Hays has coached 64 All-Americans, 34 Conference Champions and five Individual National Champions. He was also named the 2011 National Collegiate Pole Vault Coach of the Year by USA Track and Field.
Hays helped lead the Jayhawks to two men's first team All-Americans this season, with every one of his athletes setting personal bests. His coaching was highlighted when Ashton Barkdull won the NCAA men's pole vault National Championship, clearing a personal best 5.80 meters, the second best mark in Kansas history.
Fellow pole vaulter Anthony Meacham won the Big 12 pole vault title with a personal best of 5.65 meters, and later finished sixth nationally with another personal best vault of 5.70 meters.
Bryce Barkdull also set a personal best in the pole vault, clearing 5.55 meters as a sophomore. High jumper Kierson Wicks set a new personal best in his first season with Hays, clearing 2.16 meters, the eighth best mark in KU history.
In addition to working with the vertical jump athletes, Hays assists with the multi event athletes on their jumps. Heptathletes John Swabik, Tayton Klein, Oliver Duffy and Payton Kasper all set personal bests in the pole vault this season, while Conor Dunback, Duffy and Swabik set bests in the high jump.
The award marks the fourth time Hays has won it at Kansas, also winning it in 2017, 2021 and 2024. Additionally, Hays won the 2021 outdoor season equivalent.
During his 23 seasons with the Jayhawks, Hays has coached 64 All-Americans, 34 Conference Champions and five Individual National Champions. He was also named the 2011 National Collegiate Pole Vault Coach of the Year by USA Track and Field.
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