LINCOLN, Neb. -- Led by four individual titles, including three in distance races, Wichita State finished second to Nebraska in the 2015 Mark Colligan Memorial Indoor Track and Field Meet Saturday in the Bob Devaney Sports Center.
"I felt like this was another strong step in our march through the season toward a bid for MVC team titles for both the men and women," Rainbolt said. "Like any track meet there were some terrific performances, some that were below our standard, and some athletes that are even struggling with aches and pains after three weeks of competition. Generally we are very happy with where our team is at this point of the season.
"We competed today against a great Nebraska team on both sides who are definitely deserving of their high national rankings, and have quite a few athletes right at the top of the NCAA.
"All in all it was a great weekend."
Highlighting the Shockers' performance were the Women's 3K runners who finished 1-2-3, led by Sidney Hirsch who ran the race in 9:43.12. Hirsch's time was a personal best and the seventh-best time in school history. Ebeissa Nyandwi finished second in a time of 9:55.94 and Emilea Finley finished third in a time of 10:14.97.
In a similar performance, the men finished 1-2 in the 3K with Ugis Jocis running an 8:12.65 to win the race, while Paul Raymond finished second in a time of 8:26.72. Jocis' time was a personal best and the third-best time in school history.
Tiffany Christensen won the Mile Run in a time of 4:57.39, while Sarah Wright finished runner-up in 5:05.87.
On the men's side Ethan Pearson won the pole vault with a height of 17-feet, 3/4 inch and Chris Peters finished third with a final height of 16-feet, 4 1/2 inches.
In addition, several Shockers had also had individual runner-up finishes, including Robbie Martinez-Garcia, who finished second in the 800 meter run with a time of 1:53.92.
WSU also took second in the 4x400 meter relay in a time of 3:18.04. Members included Cody Scheck, Rhys Powell, Jon Martin and Alex Reed.
On the women's side, Nikki Larch-Miller took a runner-up finish in the 60 meter hurdles in 8.48, while Taylor Swanson was second in the women's pole vault with a height of 13 feet, 1 3/4 inches.
A pair of Shocker throwers also finished runner-up in the weight throw. Emily Cook finished runner-up with a toss of 52 feet, 9 1/2 inches in the women's event while Taylor Goldsmith was second with a throw of 62 feet, 10 inches in the men's competition.
Wichita State is next in action Friday and Saturday at the Jack Jennett Invitational in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
