Both the Youngstown State men's and women's track and field programs have been tabbed as the preseason favorites to capture the 2026 Horizon League Indoor Championship. The conference announced the Under Armour #HLTF preseason polls on Wednesday.

The men are picked to finish ahead of Milwaukee (second), Oakland (third) and Purdue Fort Wayne (fourth). The women are slated to finish just ahead of Milwaukee, while Purdue Fort Wayne is third and Oakland is fourth.

This year's league meet will be held Feb. 28-March 1 at the WATTS in Youngstown. YSU will serve as the host institution.

The YSU men have won the 10 nine indoor meets. In 2025 at Purdue Fort Wayne the men scored 227.5 points to win by just over 100 points over Milwaukee.

 The women's program has won 10 of the last 12 indoor crowns and eight of the last nine. Last year, the Penguins held off Purdue Fort Wayne by 17 points and Milwaukee by 29 points to reclaim the top of the team podium following a second-place finish the year prior.

2025-26 Under Armour Men's #HLTF Indoor Preseason Poll

Pl. Team (First-place votes) – Points
1. Youngstown State (7) – 63
2. Milwaukee (1) – 57
3. Oakland – 45
4. Purdue Fort Wayne – 42
5. Detroit Mercy – 29
6. Northern Kentucky – 23
7. IU Indianapolis – 19
8. Wright State – 10

2025-26 Under Armour Women's #HLTF Indoor Preseason Poll

Pl. Team (First-place votes) – Points
1. Youngstown State (8) – 98
2. Milwaukee (2) – 90
3. Purdue Fort Wayne – 76
4. Oakland – 75
5. RMU – 57
6. Northern Kentucky – 49
7. IU Indianapolis – 31
8. Detroit Mercy – 27
9. Wright State – 24
10. Cleveland State – 23