WSU Track and Field hitting new heights nationally

[iSASO]

WICHITA, Kan- The Wichita State Women’s Team ranks No. 24 in the nation according to the United States Track & Field Cross Country Coaches Association poll released on April 30.

The Shocker women now hold their highest outdoor ranking in school history. Their previous best was when the team was ranked No. 25 in final poll of the 2011 season.

WSU also achieved its highest ranking in school history during the 2013 indoor season, when the Shockers were ranked No. 19. The Shocker women earned their highest team finish in school history when they placed 24th at the NCAA Indoor Championships.

The Shockers currently have three women ranked in the top 10 nationally. Tanya Friesen ranks fifth in the heptathlon (5,757), Mariah Garcia ranks sixth in the discus throw (181-9), and Aliphine Tuliamuk-Bolton ranks third in both the 5,000m (15:18.86) and 10,000m runs (32:07.20).

Friesen also ranks 10th in the West Region in the high jump (5-10 1/2), and 14th in the region in the long jump 20-3. Ashley Petersen ranks 12th in the region in the high jump (5-10) and leads all other freshman in the west.

These four women will try to lead the Shockers to their third consecutive Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Championship in two weeks. The MVC Outdoor Championships will be held May 10-12 in Des Moines, Iowa.