By FHSU Sports Information
Photo courtesy FHSU SID
NEW ORLEANS – After competing in the Drake Relays with a performance highlighted by multiple school records, both Fort Hays State track and field teams remain in the Top 25. In the latest USTFCCCA Coaches’ Poll released Tuesday (May 1), the men stand at No. 15 with the women in at No. 16.
The FHSU women earned 62.45 points while the men captured 72.94. The points were tabulated from the computer-based system within the poll. On the women’s side, the Tigers are one of four MIAA programs to earn a mention alongside No. 6 Lincoln, No. 10 Pittsburg State and No. 17 Missouri Southern. Three conference programs for the men also made the list, led by No. 1 Pittsburg State and No. 13 Central Missouri.
The Drake Relays brought forth three new school records for the Tigers, starting with a third place finish for the men in the 4×1600 relay with a time of 16:57.68. This marked beat the previous record which was standing since 1978. Oscar Carmona, Israel Barco, Brett Meyer and Seppe van’t Westende made up the record-breaking team.
The women broke two records on the weekend in both the 4×800 and the distance medley. In the 4×800, Lindsay Roberts, Grace Buessing, Lauren Roberts and Yessenia Gonzales sealed the 9:16.34 time, breaking a record from 2003. This time was good enough for a fifth place finish for the Tigers. In the distance medley relay, Amber Forbes, Yanoudji Diarra, Sharee Zombo and Kelly Wycoff stormed away with a runner-up finish at 11:46.84. This school record time was 22 seconds faster than the previous record set one year ago at the Drake Relays.
The Tigers are back in action for the 2018 MIAA Outdoor Championships this weekend May 4-6.
Below are the latest USTFCCCA rankings.
Men
Rank Institution Points
1 Pittsburg State 183.43
2 Texas A&M-Kingsville 168.68
3 Texas A&M-Commerce 160.34
4 Adams State 151.78
5 Tiffin 143.93
6 Angelo State 116.12
7 West Texas A&M 107.49
8 Colorado Mines 101.02
9 Ashland 96.51
10 CSU Pueblo 94.91
11 Grand Valley State 94.68
12 Chico State 94.05
13 Central Missouri 77.90
14 Saint Augustine’s 74.34
15 Fort Hays State 72.94
16 Alabama Huntsville 70.44
17 Minnesota State 59.82
18 Western Oregon 56.62
19 Academy of Art 52.42
20 Cal State LA 50.36
21 Mount Olive 48.69
22 Eastern New Mexico 47.55
23 Western State 43.76
24 Lee (Tenn.) 42.33
25 Queens (NC) 42.07
Women
Rank Institution Points
1 West Texas A&M 162.33
2 Grand Valley State 129.52
3 Azusa Pacific 125.77
4 Adams State 124.49
5 Angelo State 120.25
6 Lincoln 114.82
7 New Mexico Highlands 108.70
8 SF State 103.61
9 Saint Augustine’s 101.63
10 Pittsburg State 99.18
11 Alaska Anchorage 97.82
12 Western State 74.19
13 Walsh 71.48
14 Concordia 70.67
15 UC-Colorado Springs 69.58
16 Fort Hays State 62.45
17 Missouri Southern 62.41
18 Minnesota State 61.55
19 Texas A&M Commerce 60.00
20 Wayne State 58.28
21 U-Mary 51.54
22 Fresno Pacific 48.75
23 Lewis 47.02
24 Mount Olive 45.65
25 Shippensburg 42.55