WICHITA, Kan – The Wichita State track and field program opens the 2019 outdoor season hosting the Herm Wilson Invitational presented by Beynon Sports Surfaces,  on Thursday, March 21-23 at Cessna Stadium.
 
The Shockers host the first of its four outdoor meets at Cessna Stadium. The Herm Wilson Invitational presented by Beynon Sports Surfaces will be live streamed starting Friday, March 22 at 6:30 p.m., and Saturday, March 23 beginning at 12:00 p.m. Admission to the event is free.
 
"For a season opener, this is going to be a wonderful meet," said head track and field director Steve Rainbolt. "Herm Wilson had terrific success at Wichita State…Herm is close to our program and it really meant a lot to me to name an event after him. I'm really happy that we are able to honor him in this way."
 
Competition begins Thursday with the men's decathlon at 12:00 p.m., followed by the start of the women's heptathlon at 12:30 p.m. Friday's events begin at 12:00 p.m., with the continuation of the multi-events, followed by the women's hammer throw at 2:30 p.m. A distance carnival begins at 7:00 p.m., with the 3000m steeplechase and to end Friday's events is the 5000m at 8:10 p.m.
 
Saturday kicks things off with the open field events at 12:00 p.m., followed by the open running events at 2:00 p.m.
 
QUICK NOTES
• Wichita State returns 13 all-conference members from the 2018 outdoor season, including event champions Winny Koskei (10,000m and 5000m), Kendray Henry (heptathlon), Austin Corley (400m hurdles) and Aaron True (javelin).
 
• The Shocker men's program was ranked No. 37 in the USTFCCCA Preseason Poll, released March 18. The Shockers were ranked as high as No. 21 during the 2018 season, the highest ranking in the program's history.
 
• The Shocker women's program returns nearly 25 athletes that redshirted the 2018 season, including seven Shockers that combine to have 13 Wichita State all-time top-10 marks.