AUSTIN, Texas- On day two of the NCAA West Region Preliminar,y five Shockers tried to earn a spot at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. One of these Wichita State athletes succeeded.
Tomas Cotter finished with a time of 8:41.02 to earn third place in his heat of the 3,000m steeplechase. With this performance the senior qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships for the second consecutive season.
Cotter becomes the fourth Shocker to advance to the NCAA meet.The four-time MVC Champion will join Austin Bahner (decathlon), Tanya Friesen (Heptathlon), and Aliphine Tuliamuk-Bolton (10,000m) in Eugene, Ore. for nationals from June 6-8.
In the field events, Friesen cleared 5-7 (1.70m) to place 22nd. Although she will not to compete in the open high jump at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, Friesen will still jump at the national meet as she competes in the heptathlon.
Ashley Petersen cleared 1.65m (5-5) to place 42nd. Despite not qualifying for the NCAA Championships, Petersen became the first Shocker freshman since 1986 to a MVC Women's High Jump Championship.
Mariah Garcia arrived to Mike A. Myers stadium at 12 p.m. to prepare for her NCAA West preliminary debut. However, just before Garcia could begin her warm up throws, the meet entered a seven hour lightning delay.
When Garcia finally stepped into the throwing ring, she fouled her first two throws before tossing a mark of 157-11 to place 23rd, Though she did not earn a trip to nationals, Garcia ends her freshman campaign as the Shockers' record holder in the discus throw.
Chris Dubree culminated his collegiate career with his first trip to the NCAA West Prelims. The senior did not qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Championships, but ends his Shocker career ranked fifth indoors and eighth outdoors on WSU's shot put rankings.
Barring further weather problems, the Shockers will have four athletes compete on the final day of the NCAA West Region Prelims. Tyson Holmes and Jon Rizzo will begin the competition in the men's javelin at 12 p.m.
Courtney Reinke will try to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Championships for the first time in her career. The senior will showcase her talents in the triple jump at 6 p.m.
Aliphine Tuliamuk-Bolton will race in the women's 5,000m run at 8:05 p.m. Tuliamuk-Bolton already qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in the 10,000m run with a second place finish on Thursday night.
Click here to watch Friday's action as these Shockers try to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Follow Wichita State Track & Field on twitter for exclusive updates and pictures from the meet.
