The Wichita State track and field team is set to host its first meet on its brand-new track Friday, May 8 at University Stadium.
 
The Shocker Open field events begin at noon, and running events start at 5:15 p.m. following the 5 p.m. senior recognition on the track. Entry is free to the public.
 
Wichita State will host athletes from 18 other collegiate programs as the Shockers compete one final time before the American Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships May 14-16 in Denton, Texas.
 
Seniors: Jelese Alexander, Ma'Liyah Anderson, Sarah Bertry, Emma Bezdek, Caden Carlson, Weston Hulse, Beau Kerschen, Cali Kerschen, Zander Cobb, Ian Hunter, Lea Jerkovic, Jenna Kuepker, Sadie Millard, Lucy Ndungu, Cesar Ramirez, Riley Vandaveer, Brock Merz, Trace Spires, Kinslee Stokely, Kennady Washington, Courtney Wilborn
 
SHOCKER OPEN NO. 1 SEEDS
MEN
100m – Chairo Ogbebor
400m – Trace Spires
1500m – Riley Vandaveer
3,000m – Ian Hunter
110H – Josh Parrish
400H – Jason Parrish
4x100
Long Jump – Josh Parrish
Shot Put – Eli Johnson
Discus – Eli Johnson
Hammer – Loudan Hicks
 
WOMEN
High Jump – Jelese Alexander
Triple Jump – Kennady Washington
Discus – Reese Goodlet
Javelin – Jenna Kuepker
 
ROAD TO EUGENE
The 2026 NCAA Division I Outdoor Championships will take place June 10-14 in Eugene, Ore. at Hayward Field. This year for the west region, the road to Eugene goes through Fayetteville, Ark., where the top 48 individual athletes and the top 24 relays in the region will compete at the NCAA West Preliminaries (NCAA First Round) May 27-30 for a spot at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. The top 12 in each event advance to the championship. Combined event athletes (heptathlon and decathlon) do not attend the First Rounds, but instead, the top 24 athletes overall advance directly to the NCAA Championships in Eugene.
 
AMERICAN CONFERENCE LEADERS
MEN
Elkana Kipruto – 5,000m
Elkana Kipruto – 10,000m
Josh Parrish – 110H
Jason Parrish – 400H
Josh Parrish – Long Jump
 
WOMEN
Lucy Ndungu – 10,000m
Kylie Scott, Shellamae Farmer – Pole Vault
 
SHOCKERS IN THE NCAA WEST TOP 48
MEN
100m – Chairo Ogbebor – 10.17 – No. 18
5,000m – Elkana Kipruto – 13:35.77 – No. 34
10,000m – Elkana Kipruto – 28:09.21 – No. 18
110H – Josh Parrish – 13.46 – No. 8
110H – Tyler Carroll – 13.87 – No. 36
400H – Jason Parrish – 50.41 – No. 13
High Jump – Kaleb Tesmer – 2.11m/6'11" – No. 34
Long Jump – Josh Parrish – 7.85m/25'9.25" – No. 8
Long Jump – Travon Williams – 7.67m/25'2" – No. 23
Javelin – Blake McCormick – 63.41m/208'0" – No. 48
 
WOMEN
10,000m – Lucy Ndungu – 33:20.55 – No. 30
High Jump – Jelese Alexander – 1.83m/6'0" – No. 10
Pole Vault – Kylie Scott – 4.06m/13'3.75" – No. 46
Pole Vault – Shellamae Farmer – 4.06m/13'3.75" – No. 46
Long Jump – Jelese Alexander – 6.37m/20'10.75" – No. 17
 
AMERICAN CONFERENCE MEN'S PRESEASON COACHES' POLL

1.	South Florida (7)	78
2.	Wichita State (2)	72
3.	Charlotte (1)	69
4.	North Texas	48
5.	Tulsa	47
6.	Rice	40
7.	Tulane	32
8.	UTSA	26
9.	Memphis	21
10.	East Carolina	17

 
 
AMERICAN CONFERENCE WOMEN'S PRESEASON COACHES' POLL

1.	Charlotte (5)	137
2.	North Texas (7)	135
3.	Rice (1)	117
4.	Tulane	102
5.	UTSA	92
6.	South Florida	85
	Wichita State	85
8.	East Carolina	82
9.	Memphis	54
	Tulsa	54
11.	Temple	28
12.	Florida Atlantic	25
13.	UAB	18

 
RELAYS IN THE NCAA WEST TOP 24
N/A
 
MULTIS IN THE NCAA TOP 24
N/A
 
USTFCCCA EVENT SQUAD RANKINGS (TOP 10)
Men's Long Jump – No. 3
Men's 110m Hurdles – No. 8
Men's 400m Hurdles – No. 9