WICHITA – Wichita State track and field alumnus and long-time pole vault official Chris Ellis generously donated a permanent finish line for the Shockers' home cross country course at L.W. Clapp Park.
 
"Having a permanent finish line on your very own cross country course is significant to us moving forward with our cross country program," head coach cross country coach Kirk Hunter said. "This is something we've always wanted, and for Chris Ellis to donate this is beyond words."
 
The finish line was installed Wednesday afternoon ahead of Saturday's 76^th Annual JK Gold Classic.
 
"Not a lot of places have this type of facility or the support we have from the parks department and the disc golf people who work here," Hunter said. "They want to help us make this course something that is ours – Wichita State's – and this finish line puts a stamp on that."
 
Fans can watch the new finish line in use this Saturday, Sept. 7 as Wichita State runs in its home opener at 8 a.m. The JK Gold Classic also features a high school portion of racing beginning at 8:30 a.m.