ROCHESTER, Mich. - Oakland's Ja-Van Poole is set to return to the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships as he travels to the iconic Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore., to compete against the nation's best in the 400m hurdles.

Poole punched his ticket to Eugene for the second consecutive season after delivering a record-breaking performance at the NCAA East Regional Quarterfinals. The senior from Dayton, Ohio, shattered his own school record with a time of 49.10 in the 400m hurdles, earning one of the 24 spots in the national championship field.

Over the past two seasons, Poole has cemented his place among the greatest hurdlers in program history, recording nine of the 10 fastest 400m hurdle times ever by a Golden Grizzly. His outstanding 2026 campaign also included a Horizon League championship and his second consecutive Horizon League Most Outstanding Men's Athlete honor.

A Second Team All-American in 2025, Poole advanced to the national semifinals and finished 14th overall in a field of 24 competitors. Now, with another year of experience and the fastest season of his career, he enters this year's championship meet looking to take the next step on the national stage.

Poole is scheduled to take the track on Wednesday at 10:14 p.m. ET (7:14 p.m. PT). The race will be broadcast live on ESPN.