EMPORIA, Kan. -- Cal Poly Humboldt sophomore Michael Payan earned second team All-American honors with a 10th-place finish in the men's pole vault Saturday afternoon at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Emporia, Kansas.

Payan cleared 5.16 meters (16-11) to cap another historic season for the Lumberjack standout. The sophomore entered the national championship meet as the 2026 CCAA Champion and a USTFCCCA All-West Region selection before adding another All-American accolade to his growing resume.

The Rocklin native successfully cleared the opening height of 5.01 meters (16-5 ¼) on his first attempt before vaulting over 5.16 meters (16-11) on his third try to move into All-American position. Payan narrowly missed at 5.26 meters (17-3) against the deepest pole vault field in Division II.

With Saturday's performance, Payan becomes a two-time NCAA Division II All-American in just two collegiate seasons after earning First Team All-American honors in 2025. He also now owns two USTFCCCA All-West Region selections, two CCAA Pole Vault championships and continues to hold the Cal Poly Humboldt school record in the event.

The 2026 NCAA Division II men's pole vault title was claimed by Harding's Vlad Malykhin, who cleared 5.56 meters (18-3). Payan finished tied for 10th overall in the national field.

Payan's continued success adds another milestone to an impressive rise for the Cal Poly Humboldt track & field program, as the sophomore has quickly established himself among the nation's elite vaulters while continuing to rewrite the Lumberjack record book.