Tempe is hot. That’s not a secret. But if you’re standing on the track at Sun Angel Stadium in mid-April, the heat isn't just coming from the pavement. It’s coming from a program that has spent the last few decades quietly—and sometimes very loudly—becoming a factory for Olympians and NCAA champions. Honestly, people outside the bubble of collegiate athletics might only think of ASU as a "party school" or a football town, but the reality is that Arizona State track and field is the most consistent powerhouse on campus.
You’ve got a legacy here that stretches from the 1960s with Henry Carr to the modern era of Turner Washington and Maggie Ewen. It’s a culture of throwing heavy things and running very, very fast in 110-degree weather.
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The Dion Miller Era and the Big 12 Jump
Right now, the program is under the direction of Dion Miller. He’s in his seventh year as the Director of Track and Field, and he’s basically seen it all. Miller isn't a stranger to Tempe; he was an assistant here back in the mid-2000s during that legendary run where the women’s team won both the Indoor and Outdoor NCAA titles in 2007. Since he took over the top job in 2019, he’s been tasked with something pretty massive: keeping the Sun Devils relevant while transitioning from the Pac-12 to the Big 12.
The move to the Big 12 is no joke. You’re talking about going up against Texas Tech and Oklahoma State every single weekend. Just last year, at the 2025 Big 12 Indoor Championships in Lubbock, the competition was a bloodbath. But ASU held its own. Look at a guy like Mateo Medina. As a sophomore, he’s already putting up times that make you double-check the stopwatch. In 2025, he was clocking a 20.76 in the 200m and a 45.45 in the 400m. That’s moving.
Why the Sprints Group is Different
ASU has always been a "throws" school—we'll get to that—but Miller is a sprints guy at heart. He’s obsessed with the mechanics of the 4x400m relay. It showed in 2024 when the men’s team grabbed the NCAA Indoor title in the 4x400. That wasn't a fluke. It was the result of a specific recruiting strategy that prioritizes raw speed and "desert-tough" athletes.
The "Throws U" Reputation
If you want to talk about Arizona State track and field, you have to talk about the shot put and the discus. It’s sort of their birthright. For a long time, the Sun Devils have been nicknamed "Throws U" because of the sheer volume of national titles they bring home from the field events.
- Turner Washington: The man is a legend. He didn't just win; he dominated. Multiple NCAA titles in the shot put and discus. He’s now back on staff as an assistant coach, which is a huge deal for the current roster.
- Maggie Ewen: She’s arguably one of the greatest collegiate throwers ever. She won titles in the shot, discus, and hammer.
- Jordan Clarke and Ryan Whiting: These guys set the standard a decade ago, winning back-to-back-to-back titles that made Tempe the destination for any kid who could heave a metal ball sixty feet.
Nowadays, the mantle has been passed to athletes like Brandon Lloyd and Ines Lopez. Lloyd has been consistently hovering around the 19-meter mark in the shot put, which is enough to keep any Big 12 rival awake at night.
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The New Blood: Names to Watch in 2026
We are currently in the middle of the 2026 indoor season, and the roster is a weird, exciting mix of veterans and total wildcards. Coach Miller brought in 25 newcomers this year. That’s nearly half the squad.
Adriana Tatum is the one everyone is watching on the women’s side. She’s been a force in the 200m, and her 2025 season was basically a highlight reel of sub-23-second performances. Then you have Lemerian Lemashon and Dennis Rono in the distance events. These two have a story that’s kinda incredible—coming from Kenya to the desert and immediately rewriting the school's distance records. Rono took first in the mile at the Axe 'Em Open just a few weeks ago with a 4:08.80. In Flagstaff's thin air? That’s impressive.
Breaking Down the 2026 Schedule
If you’re trying to catch them live, here is how the 2026 season is actually playing out:
- Indoor Peak: The team just wrapped up the NAU Axe 'Em Open and is heading into the meat of the indoor season with stops at Texas Tech and New Mexico.
- The Big 12 Indoor Championships: Scheduled for February 27-28 in Lubbock. This is the big one.
- Outdoor Kickoff: The Willie Williams Invite in Tucson (March 27-28). Yes, they have to go to UA's house, but they usually dominate the desert heat anyway.
- The Road to Eugene: Everything leads to Hayward Field in June for the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
Dealing with the Heat (Literally)
One thing people get wrong about training in Arizona is that they think the weather is an advantage. It’s actually a logistical nightmare. During the late spring, the team has to be on the track by 6:00 AM to avoid the 115-degree peak. If they miss that window, the track surface literally gets hot enough to melt certain types of spikes.
It builds a specific kind of mental toughness. When the Sun Devils travel to the NCAA Championships in Oregon—where it’s often 60 degrees and raining—they feel like they have superpowers. They’re used to suffering.
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Actionable Insights for Fans and Athletes
If you're following Arizona State track and field or looking to get involved with the program, there are a few things you should know.
First, keep an eye on the Sun Angel Classic. It’s the premier home meet and usually where you see the fastest times because the air is dry and the energy is high. If you're a recruit, realize that Miller looks for versatility. He doesn't just want a 100m specialist; he wants someone who can anchor a 4x400 after running two prelims.
Second, the transition to the Big 12 means the bar for "scoring points" has moved. A time that would have won the Pac-12 might only get you fifth in the Big 12. This is forcing the program to be more aggressive in the transfer portal, bringing in proven talent to supplement the freshmen.
The legacy of Henry Carr and the 1977 Men’s National Championship team still hangs over the program. They aren't just running against the clock; they’re running against history. And in 2026, it looks like they’re finally catching up to it.
Next Steps for Sun Devil Fans:
- Check the live results on TFRRS (Track & Field Results Reporting System) for the upcoming Corky Classic to see if Adriana Tatum breaks the 60m school record.
- If you're in Tempe, visit the Sun Angel Stadium during the Desert Heat Classic in May; it's free for students and the best way to see the throwers up close.
- Follow the "International Sun Devils" blog series on the official athletics site to understand how the distance program is being rebuilt through global recruiting.