Women's Track and Field | 5/13/2024 9:16:00 AM
May 13, 2024-Throughout the month of May Emporia State Athletics will take a look at the 22 events that make up the 2024 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field National Championships. This will include a look at the reigning national champion, the top ranked competitor this season, the NCAA championships record, the Welch Stadium record and any Emporia State athletes that have provisionally qualified for the national meet. Day 13 features the 800m run.
The prelims for the men's 800m dash will run at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, May 24 with the women's prelims set to follow at 6:15 p.m. The men's final will be at 3:45 p.m. with the women's final set for 3:55 p.m. on Saturday, May 25.
As of May 13, defending national champion Wes Ferguson of Neb.-Kearney leads the nation in the men's 800m with a time of 1:45.85 at the Bryan Clay Invitational on April 11 in Azusa, Calif. The top women's 800m time is 2:05.17 set by Gracie Hyde of Adams State at the New Mexico Spring Invitational in Albuquerque, N.M. on March 23.
Men Prelims Friday, May 24 at 6:00 p.m./Finals Saturday, May 25 3:45 p.m.
2023 National Champion: Wes Ferguson, Neb.-Kearney 1:45.46
2024 Top Ranked Competitor: Wes Ferguson, Neb.-Kearney 1:45.85
NCAA Championship Meet Record: Wes Ferguson, Neb.-Kearney 1:45.46, 2023
Welch Stadium Record: Savieri Ngidhi, Abilene Christian, 1:48.09, 1995 NCAA Championships
Best ESU National Finisher: Thomas LaRoche, 1:53.96, 2017 12th place
ESU School Record: Bill Tidwell, 1:47.61, 1955 National AAU Championships
2024 ESU Provisional Qualifiers: None
Women Prelims Friday, May 24 at 6:15 p.m./Finals Saturday, May 25 3:55 p.m.
2023 National Champion: Ukeyvla Beckwith, Embry-Riddle 2:06.73
2024 Top Ranked Competitor: Gracie Hyde, Adams State 2:04.43
NCAA Championship Meet Record: Skylyn Webb, UC-Colorado Springs 2:02.47, 2018
Welch Stadium Record: Kelly-Ann Beckford, Lincoln 2:06.41, 2022 MIAA Championships
Best ESU National Finisher: Katie Mona, 2:16.89, 2011 Seventh Place
ESU School Record: Katie Mona, 2:10.99, 2011 NCAA Championships (prelim)
2024 ESU Provisional Qualifier: None
Thomas LaRoche ran 1:53.96 to finish 12th in the men's 800m at the 2017 National Championships for Emporia State's best finish in the Division II era. The men's school record is 1:47.61 set by Bill Tidwell at the 1955 AAU National Championships and is the oldest school record still on the books for the Hornets. Katie Mona had the best finish for the Emporia State women in the 800m when she finished seventh at the 2011 National Championships with a time of 2:16.89 after setting the ESU school record of 2:10.99 in the prelims.
Emporia State's Welch Stadium and Zola Witten Track have been selected as the host site for the 2024 and 2026 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships. It will be the fourth and fifth time that Welch Stadium has played host to the national championships.
Welch Stadium previously served as the host site for the National Championships in 1995, 1999 and 2006 with the first meet in 1995 bringing 450 student-athletes to Emporia. The 2024 and 2026 meets are scheduled to bring 754 student-athletes, nearly 200 coaches and over 100 officials to the Flint Hills over the Memorial Day weekend.
During championship week, the NCAA Committee will come to Emporia on Monday with the first practice time available on Tuesday. Wednesday of championship week will see a variety of coaches and officials meetings before the actual competition begins on Thursday. The meet will wrap up on Saturday evening.
Day 1 –
High Jump
Day 2 –
Pole Vault
Day 3 -
Long Jump
Day 4 -
Triple Jump
Day 5 -
Shot Put
Day 6 -
Discus
Day 7 -
Hammer
Day 8 -
Javelin
Day 9 –
Multi-Events
Day 10 –
100m
Day 11 –
200m
Day 12 –
400m
