By FHSU Sports Information
Photo courtesy FHSU SID
KEARNEY, Neb. – Nine Tigers ran away with first place finishes at the UNK Loper Invitational held Wednesday and Thursday. The Fort Hays State women’s track and field team also achieved eight provisionals at the meet, continuing their showing in the outdoor season.
Wednesday night gave the Tigers their first top finish as three FHSU athletes swept the top spots in the 5,000-meter. Lindsay Roberts claimed the event with her time of 17:57.56, with teammates Yessenia Gonzales (18:09.06) and Lauren Roberts (18:33.66) following close behind.
Thursday would see eight more top finishes for the women, starting with Amber Forbes claiming first place in the 100-meters at 11.93, a provisional mark as well as a personal best. Kelly Wycoff produced two championship performances on the day, both alongside provisional and personal bests. In the 200-meters, Wycoff defeated the field with her time of 24.08, while capping her 400-meter performance with a time of 54.95.This time sets Wycoff to the No. 2 position in Division II.
The two Tiger relay teams earned first in their respective differences. First, the squad of Forbes, Wycoff, Yanoudji Diarra and Sharee Zombo captured the 4×100 with a time of 46.84, a provisional mark and personal record for the group. In the 4×400 relay, Lindsay Schupe, Diarra, Forbes and Wycoff ran away from the field with their top time of 3:57.57.
Three first place finishes were completed in field events for Fort Hays State. Leading the way was Madison Wolf who continues her streak of winning every meet on the season, as she topped the javelin field with her provisional throw of 155 feet, 10 inches. Teammate Alexcia Deutscher was close behind in the runner-up position while also claiming a provisional at her distance of 143 feet, 5 inches. Two
Tigers finished in the top-three in the pole vault, with Selam Ball claiming the field at 12 feet 3 inches, a provisional mark. Halie Turner hit a height of 11 feet, 11 inches to come in third place. Summer Kragel out-jumped her competitors in the high jump, winning the event at 5 feet, 2 inches.
The Tigers are next in action April 19-21 as they travel to Lawrence for the Kansas Relays.