Loper Twilight
Saturday, May 11, 2024
Kearney, Neb. • Kearney HS
 
The Fort Hays State men's and women's track and field teams will send select student-athletes to the Loper Twilight on Saturday (May 13). Competitors will attempt to solidify their chances to qualify for the 2024 NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships, slated for May 23-25 in Emporia, Kan.
 
The Tigers currently have 8 performances that rank inside the top 20 in DII with one weekend remaining in the season, including Taylor Savolt in the 400m hurdles as well as the heptathlon, Grant Bradley (9th, 3,000m Steeplechase), Dayton Williams (11th, High Jump), Jacob Clark (5th, Pole Vault), Annabeth Baalmann (14th, Pole Vault), Addie Berens (14th, Javelin) and Rhyann Brown (20th, Javelin).
 
The Tiger men moved up to 38th in the latest USTFCCCA NCAA DII National Ratings Index, tied for their highest mark of the season. The women are up to 42nd in the final week of the regular season. The men are sitting ninth in the Central Region, while the women are 11th in the region.
 
Fort Hays State has seven event squads that rank inside the top 10 in Division II, including the seventh-ranked men's 800m group, the sixth-ranked decathlon unit and the eighth-ranked men's pole vault squad on the men's side. The women include the second-ranked heptathlon unit and the fourth-ranked javelin team.
 
The sprinters attending the Loper Twilight include Toby Wahlmeier, Kenny Fritsch and Eddie McVay. The men's trio consisting of Trever Medina, Ethan Lang and Aaron Mangan will try and improve their season marks in the 800m. Freshman Maayan Paz will try to get his first national qualifying mark in the men's 400m hurdles Saturday.
 
Pole vaulters Annabeth Baalman, Jacob Clark, Brady Deges and Kurtis McCormick will compete in the pole vault event. Other jumpers joining the field group include Keamonie Archie and Kyreese Groen. Throwers competing in the event include discus thrower Jessica Saunders and javelin throwers Rhyann Brown and Patrisha Doll.
 
Final selections for the 2024 NCAA DII Outdoor Championships will be announced on Tuesday, May 14 on NCAA.com.