Men's Track and Field | 5/22/2024 9:06:00 AM

May 22, 2024-Throughout the month of May Emporia State Athletics has taken a look at the events that make up the 2024 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field National Championships.   This has included 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. Today's final installment is the final event of the National championships -  the 4x400m relay.
 
The prelims for the men's 4x400m relay will be at 7:50 p.m. on Friday, May 24 with the women to follow at 8:10 p.m. The men's final is set for 5:50 p.m. and the women's final will end the competition at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 25. 
 
Heading into Championship week, Northwest Missouri has the top time in the nation after running 3:06.33 on May 11 at the Loper Twilight Qualifier in Kearney, Neb. The Bearcats also have the fastest time in the women's 4x400m relay with a 3:33.44 at the MIAA Championships with three of the four members of last year's national championship squad returning.
 
Men's 4x400m Relay Prelims Friday, May 24 7:50 p.m. | Finals Saturday, May 25 5:50 p.m.
2023 National Champion: West Texas A&M (Ohdel James, Jamarcus Birks, Brien Pittman, Quinton Sansing) 3:05.80, 2023
2024 Top Ranked Competitor: Northwest Missouri (Prince Griffin, Gavyn Monday, Logan Arellano, Truman Hare) 3:06.33
NCAA Championship Meet Record: Abilene Christian (Arthur Williams, Freddie Williams, Tommy Thompson, Mark Witherspoon) 3:03.38, 1984
Welch Stadium Record: St. Augustine's (Ryan Hayden, Chris Scott, Derrick Cunningham, Marlin Cannon) 3:06.69, 1995 NCAA Championships (Prelims)
Best ESU National Finisher: Luke Pickett, Shawn Fairbanks, Brent Smitheran, Corey Cole, 3:08.89, 1999 National Runners-Up at Welch Stadium  
ESU School Record: Parker Evans, Luke Stenzel, Duke Tibbs, Taysean Goodwin, 3:08.69, 2018 Drake Relays   
2024 ESU Provisional Qualifiers: Jack Watson, Isaac Tarango, Carter Cox, Jake Johnson, 3:11.50, Concordia Twilight Ranked 38^th in the nation
 
Women's 4x400m Relay Prelims Friday, May 24 8:10 p.m. | Finals Saturday, May 25 6:00 p.m.
2023 National Champion: Northwest Missouri (Chloe Saenz, Luisarys Toledo, Kaylee Harp, Tiffany Hughey) 3:33.44
2024 Top Ranked Competitor: Northwest Missouri (Jaedy Commins, Luisarys Toledo, Kaylee Harp, Tiffany Hughey) 3:37.39
NCAA Championship Meet Record: Lincoln (Monique Robinson, Davita Prendergast, Meleshia Spencer, Carla Thomas) 3:32.31, 2007
Welch Stadium Record: Lincoln (Kelly-Ann Beckford, Chrissani May, Maria Diamond, Shantae George) 3:38.77, 2022 MIAA Championships
Best ESU National Finisher: Magali Schneider, Kari Pittman, Jessica Oberg, Deandra Doubrava, 3:42.94 1996 NCAA Runners-Up
ESU School Record: Marqueita Marisette, Peyton Weiss, Lindsay Kunkel, Jackie Jacobs 3:42.80, 2013 NCAA Championships
2024 ESU Provisional Qualifier:  None
 
Luke Pickett, Shawn Fairbanks, Brent Smitheran, and Corey Cole had the top finish for the Emporia State men in the 4x400m relay when they ran 3:08.89 to finish as the national runners-up at the 1999 National Championships in Welch Stadium. Magali Schneider, Kari Pittman, Jessica Oberg, and Deandra Doubrava were also national runners-up for the Hornets with a time of 3:42.94 at the 1996 National Championships.
 
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
Day 13 – 800m
Day 14 – 1500m
Day 15 – 5000m
Day 16 - 10,000m 
Day 17 – 100m Hurdles
Day 18 – 110m Hurdles
Day 19 – 400m Hurdles
Day 20 – 3000m Steeplechase
Day 21 – 4x100m Relay