Leavenworth, Kan. - The Fort Hays State men's and women's track and field teams opened the 2026 outdoor season Friday (March 20) at the Spire Distance Carnival. The Tigers claimed one victory and one other third-place finish.
 
Noah Morenz won the men's 3,000m steeplechase, crossing the line in 9:24.87 to place first out of 17 runners.
 
Taylor Hoskinson finished third in the women's 800m run, completing the two-lap race in 2:19.90 to rank ninth at FHSU during the DII era. Abbye Hudson was sixth out of 35 runners in the same race with a time of 2:21.21.
 
Janae Fugitt placed seventh out of 44 competitors in the women's 1,500m run with a time of 4:47.82 with Esther Clark-Pavolovich close behind in eighth after crossing the line in 4:50.83.
 
Hayden Nemecheck wrapped up the night by finishing ninth out of 77 runners in the men's 5,000m run, crossing the line in 15:06.57. Austin Ritsema was one spot back in 10th with a time of 15:07.51.
 
The rest of the Tiger squad will begin their season next Saturday (March 28) at the Central Nebraska Challenge in Kearney, Neb.
 
Full FHSU Results
Women
800m
3rd - Taylor Hoskinson - 2:16.90
6th - Abbye Hudson - 2:21.21
 
1,500m
7th - Janae Fugitt - 4:47.82
8th - Esther Clark-Pavlovich - 4:50.83
10th - Madelynn Nichols - 4:52.57
12th - Makenzie Premer - 4:53.57
17th - Ashlyn Harbaugh - 4:56.52
25th - Abbye Hudson - 5:05.25
 
5,000m
10th - Margaret Browning - 18:31.12
11th - Cate Wiese - 18:41.95
15th - Keziah Bachman - 18:56.56
 
Men
800m
11th - Luke Wessel - 1:56.11
18th - Kamryn Golub - 1:58.25
34th - Hans Deaton - 2:01.17
 
1,500m
19th - Taran Castro - 4:04.04
21st - Quade Smith - 4:06.14
44th - Kaiden Esfeld - 4:18.03
 
5,000m
9th - Hayden Nemechek - 15:06.57
10th - Austin Ritsema - 15:07.51
27th - Ty Raulston - 15:36.36
58th - Brady Conway - 16:22.37
 
3,000m Steeplechase
1st - Noah Morenz - 9:24.87