PITTSBURG, Kan. – Fort Hays State Track & Field completed the first day of competition at the 10th annual Russ Jewett Gorilla Classic on Friday (Feb. 14), with several athletes delivering strong performances across sprints, distance events, and field events.

In the 200m invitational, Hayden Albright led the Tigers with a runner-up finish in 21.73, while Toby Wahlmeier finished closely in third, finishing in 21.81. In the 200m open, Drew Tolar finished 12th with a time of 21.85, followed by Avrey Albright in 16th at 21.90.

In the 60m prelims, Wahlmeier led the men's squad with a 38th-place finish in 6.99, while Reba Mader paced the women in 38th at 8.03. In the 60m hurdles prelims, Ethan Salmans was the top Tiger on the men's side, placing 26th in 8.46, while Chloe Mader finished 35th in the women's race at 9.37.

The Tigers had two teams compete in the distance medley relay, with the men's team of Ian Weich, Emery Wolfe, Kaiden Esfeld, and Daniel Little placing 10th in 10:21.42. On the women's side, Madison Sutterfield, Mackenzie Premer, Eden Bathurst, and Alayna Cossart also finished 10th with a time of 12:32.94.

In the 5,000m, Jaret Pfizenmaier led the Tigers with a 9th-place finish in 14:54.17, while Cole Krug followed in 16th at 15:12.18. On the women's side, Arely Maldonado placed 35th in 19:25.26. 

In field events, Liberty Booker secured an 11th-place finish in the weight throw with a mark of 53-1.00, nearly notching a provisional mark. Piper Robinson took eighth in the pole vault (10-10.00). On the men's side, Trever Christensen placed 10th in the pole vault open, clearing 14-1.25, while Mason Younger finished 13th with a mark of 13-7.50.

The Tigers will return to action on tomorrow (Feb. 15) for the final day of competition in Pittsburg, Kan.
 
FHSU Full Results
 
Men's Results
60m Prelims
38th – Toby Wahlmeier – 6.99
42nd – Kenny Fritsch – 7.01
53rd – Ajai Holmes – 7.06
62nd – Eddie McVay – 7.14
 
60mH Prelims
26th – Ethan Salmans – 8.46
30th – Nolan Churchman – 8.63
34th – Drew Tolar – 8.81
49th – Spencer Rich – 9.26
 
200m Open
12th – Drew Tolar – 21.85
16th – Avrey Albright – 21.90
30th – Nakari Morrical-Palmer – 22.36
41st – Kenny Fritsch – 22.53
 
200m Invite
2nd – Hayden Albright – 21.73
3rd – Toby Wahlmeier – 21.81
 
5,000m
9th – Jaret Pfizenmaier – 14:54.17
16th – Cole Krug – 15:12.18
 
DMR
10th – Ian Weich, Emery Wolfe, Kaiden Esfeld, Daniel Little – 10:21.42
 
High Jump Open
15th – Ethan Salmans – 5-10.75
 
Pole Vault Open
10th – Trever Christensen – 14-1.25
13th – Mason Younger – 13-7.50
 
Women's Results
60m Prelims
38th – Reba Mader – 8.03
54th – Chloe Mader – 8.24
 
60mH Prelims
35th – Chloe Mader – 9.37
 
200m Prelims
25th – Reba Mader – 26.15
 
5,000m
35th – Arely Maldonado – 19:25.26
 
DMR
10th – Madison Sutterfield, Makenzie Premer, Eden Bathurst, Alayna Cossaart – 12:32.94
 
Weight Throw
11th – Liberty Booker – 53-1.00
 
Pole Vault Open
8th – Piper Robinson – 10-10.00