By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
NEW ORLEANS – Fort Hays State’s Ryan Stanley has been named the USTFCCCA Central Region Indoor Field Athlete of the Year, announced Friday (March 18) by the coach’s organization.
The junior pole vaulter wrapped up the indoor season with his second national title after clearing the 17-9.25 bar on his first attempt. That mark was seven inches past his prior indoor school record of 17-2.25 set just two weeks earlier when he won his first MIAA championship. He is now the defending champion in both the indoor and outdoor national championships.
Stanley finished first in six out of his nine competitions throughout the indoor season, including four clearances over 17 feet. He placed second due to total misses in his first event of the year after tying for the top height, with his only other losses coming against four Division I athletes.
His clearance at the DII National Championships was the 17th best clearance across all divisions this season. It was the fifth-best mark all-time in Division II and the third-best at the DII Indoor Championships.
Member coaches voted on these honors following the completion of the 2022 NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships in Pittsburg, Kansas, but considered performances from both that meet as well as during the regular season.
Stanley is the first Tiger to earn the distinguished honor of regional athlete of the year since 2009 when Bryan Haynes was named South Central Indoor Track Athlete of the Year.