By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
EMPORIA, Kan. – The Fort Hays State women’s track and field team kicked off its outdoor season at the Emporia Spring Invite on Saturday. On the day, the Tigers brought home two individual titles alongside a provisional.
Yessenia Gonzales claimed the title in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 11:44.86. Summer Kragel capped a first place performance in the high jump with her mark of 5 feet, 5 inches. Alexcia Deutscher earned both a personal record and a provisional in the javelin with a throw of 160 feet, 2 inches, good enough for second place.
Among the first place finishes, the Tigers performed strong in all aspects of the competition. Lindsay Shupe took seventh in the 200 meters with a time of 25.47, as well as a third place finish in the 400 meters with a time of 59.58. Lyric Holman also placed high in the 400 meters, coming in sixth at 1:00.81.
In the 1,500-meters, Grace Buessing took seventh with a time of 5:04.92, alongside a ninth place finish by Averi Wilson who came in at 5:08.04. In the 5,000-meters, Abigail Stewart claimed third place with a time of 19:12.57. Rylea Oliver gave the Tigers another top-ten finish by coming in sixth place in the 3,000-meters steeplechase at 12:42.75.
Heading to track events, Haley Jones took fourth place in the high jump at 5 feet, 1 inch. Rohey Singhateh got her outdoor season off on a strong start following a fourth place finish in the long jump at 18 feet, inch. Singhateh also took home a third place finish in the triple jump with her distance of 38 feet, 4 inches. Kayla Smith rounded out the top-ten finishes in the triple jump with her jump of 36 feet, 5 inches.
Laurel Haley claimed ninth place in the discus with her throw of 141 feet, 6 inches. In the hammer throw, Julia Wagner achieved an eighth place finish with a throw of 145 feet, 2 inches.
The Tigers will be back on the track for their lone home meet of the season. The Alex Francis Classic will be held in Hays on Friday (March 29).