WICHITA, Kan.- A full weekend of competition awaits the Wichita State Track & Field Team. The Shockers will travel to a pair of track meets in California. The Shocker pole vaulters will compete at the Kansas Relays.
The California contingent will compete in two meets, the Mt Sac Relays and the Beach Invitational. Due to the exclusivity and elite competition level of the Mt. Sac Relays some Shocker will compete at only the Beach Invitational. Some athletes will even compete at both.
'I'm sure I'll long jump, maybe high jump Saturday in the other meet (the Beach Invitational),” Tanya Friesen said. “I'm expecting there to be good competition out there. It will be exciting.”
Friesen competes in seven events regularly and, as a senior, has experienced almost every event first hand. However, with so many Shockers sporting leg and ankle braces, The MVC Women's Field Athlete of the Week will attempt a new challenge.
“I get the opportunity to anchor the 4x100m since we have some hurt people,” Friesen said. “We're working on handoffs to see how it goes. I'm excited about that. It's something new for me.”
Friesen will not be the only person from WSU competing at both meets. In total, 17 Shockers are expected to compete at both the Mt. Sac Relays and the Beach Invitational, including senior, thrower, Chris Dubree.
“It should be fun,” Dubree said. “There are going to be a lot of big throwers so I'm hoping that pushes me because I've been stuck on a little plateau lately.”
The Shocker's train to peak at the conference meet, just three weeks away. Dubree believes his best throw is still ahead of him.
“With our training, we're designed to peak a certain time, “ Dubree said. “So I think I'm right on track for a big throw.”
As clouds and rain envelop Wichita, Dubree and his team are excited to enjoy a trip to a warmer climate.
“It's been a lot different from last year,” Dubree said “Last year, I was coming from Iowa and I thought it was beautiful out here. Now it's been raining and snowing all the time. So it will be nice to go out west. I've never been to California before.
Dubree is not just excited for the warmer weather in the Los Angeles and Long Beach areas. He will compete in the shot put at both meets.
“I'm really excited to see some of the big throwers that will be there,” Dubree said. “Some of the Olympic guys will be there.”
While Dubree competes against some of the best throwers in the country in California, fellow Bloomington, Ill. native Alex Freshour, will lead the Shocker pole vaulters into action at the KU Relays.
“I've never vaulted there so it's going to be an interesting meet for us,” Freshour said. “Last week we did really well. Me and Lex (Parsons) both clear 15-11 ¼ and we're hoping to improve on those marks.”
Freshour and his fellow vaulters do not get to go to California because last time they tried to fly, their vaulting equipment found its way to the wrong city. Although they do not get the trip to California, the vaulters will also face a higher degree of competition.
“This week's going to be our biggest competition of the year,” Freshour said. “There's going to be phenomenal vaulters, both men and women. Going into the meet we're not ranked real high, but we're hoping to surprise some people.”
While the Shockers may be split this week, the entire Wichita State Track & Field team will return home next weekend for the Track-It-Buster Invitational. The final home meet of 2013 will be held April 26-27 at Cessna Stadium.
For tickets to the Track-It-Buster Invitational, contact the Shocker Ticket Office online here, by phone at 316-978-FANS (3267, or visit them in person at the southwest corner of Charles Koch Arena.
-Wichita State-
