Track and Field | 1/17/2025 2:53:00 PM

By Paul Suellentrop
 
Tyler Carroll, in a scenario not unusual for a freshman, endured ups and downs in his first season as a Wichita State hurdler.
 
His solution was to spend his summer on the track at Central City (Neb.) High School, the place he turned into a four-time state medalist and set school records in the 110- and 300-meter hurdles.
 
If he felt down or lacked motivation, he thought about Faith, his sister who also hurdled.

"I always looked up to her," he said. "She's one of the hardest workers I know. I watched her grow up, and when she had a good race, it motivated me to keep pushing. If I had a bad race, I could look back on that and it would drive me to do better."
 
Carroll's summer work paid off when he won Wichita State's intrasquad meet in early December, lowering his time in the 60-meter hurdles to 7.91 from 8:21. That progress adds to a strong hurdles group that hurdles coach John Wise compares to the 2012 group that featured second-team All-Americans Todd McKown and Lawson Montgomery.
 
"This is probably the deepest group we've ever had," Wise said. "When we talk with a recruit, we say 'If you want to come hurdle here, you're going to join up with one of the best groups in the country.'"
 
The Shockers open their indoor season in the KU-KSU-WSU Triangular in Manhattan today (Friday).
 
Senior Jaleel Montgomery and sophomore Josh Parrish are WSU's top returning hurdlers. The group also includes senior Hudson Bailey, sophomore Jason Parrish (Josh's twin), junior Bryan Haney, sophomore Brock Merz, sophomore Luke Czarnecki and freshmen Luke Holthusen and Asher Buggs-Tipton.
 
"Fast," said Josh Parrish, who earned All-American Athletic Conference honors in the 110-meter hurdles and the long jump outdoors last spring. "We're great at starting off the blocks. We attack it. Some hurdlers like to take it slow or hesitate. We attack it and that's what get us the jumps."
 

Montgomery, from Wichita West High School, is the experienced hurdler of the group. He is tied for third on WSU's career list for the 60-meter hurdles (7.79) and tied for fourth in the 60 at 6.82 seconds. Outdoors, he is No. 7 in the 100 (10.37).
 
"He's a grinder, every day, loves the track, doesn't want to leave the track," Wise said.
 
Montgomery, with the departure of Joseph Holthusen, took over the leadership role. He leads the Shockers in their sprint and hurdling drills, organizes, encourages and dispenses advice.
 
"Last year, I called (Holthusen) 'Grandpa' and now that's translated to Jaleel," Carroll said. "He's Grandpa Jaleel. He's my go-to guy. I remember in the beginning of the year it was me and him hurdling and I kept messing up. He told me 'You've got to keep your head up. You can't let this get in your head.'"
 
Montgomery loves the competition in the group. They are focused on individual goals and team goals such as going 1-2-3 in meets and climbing the national hurdle rankings.
 
"We all know how to work," he said. "We all know that pushing one another so we will all get something out of it. We can all do great things together."
 
Carroll's progress makes those type of goals attainable.
 

"My goals last year were to score at conference, both indoor and outdoor," he said. "It wasn't where I wanted to be. That motivated me to keep on pushing during the summer and not taking any days off."
 
Wise watched Carroll struggle through the increased competition and injuries as a freshman. His work on strength and conditioning over the summer helped him avoid injuries and increase speed.

"He came in in the fall and he's a different person," Wise said. "He's an intense hurdler. He's really into it. He's going to work hard."
 
Shocker hurdlers should not lack for motivation this spring. The competition within the group should guarantee that.
 
Paul Suellentrop writes about Wichita State athletics for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.