GORHAM, Maine – Freshman Ryker Paradis (Lewiston, Maine) of the University of Southern Maine Huskies' men's track & field team has qualified for the 2026 NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field Championships in the shot put. The event will take place on March 13-14 at the Birmingham Crossplex in Birmingham, Ala. Paradis will compete in the shot put on Saturday, March 14 at 12:00 pm.
 
Paradis' breakout rookie season has seen him break the program record multiple times. His personal-best mark of 17.41m won him the Division III New England title and ranks 11th nationally. He was named the LEC Field Rookie of the Year after winning the conference title in the shot put and also won the title at the Maine State Meet. Paradis was chosen as the Walter Slovenski Award winner for his performance at the DIII New England Championships.
 
For each men's individual event contested, including the pentathlon, the top 20 declared student-athletes were accepted into the competition. For each relay event contested, the top 12 declared relay teams were accepted into the competition.