NEW ORLEANS - The Fort Hays State men's and women's teams are both ranked 24th in the country in the latest release of the USTFCCCA NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Rating Index, announced Tuesday (April 28) by the coaches association.
The women moved into the top 25 for the first time this season, while the men are inside the top 25 in the country for a second week in a row.
The Tiger men have achieved 15 national qualifying marks this season, including three that rank inside the top 10 in Division II and five that are inside the top 20.
Drew Tolar's total of 7,096 points in the decathlon are fifth-most in the country, while
Hunter Angove is sixth in the pole vault with his top mark of 17-3.5.
Dean Clark's school-record 24-11.25 in the long jump ranks ninth in DII, with
Josiah Ball moving to 15th in the pole vault after clearing a facility record 16-11 at last week's Alex Francis Classic.
Jackson Rumford is 19th on the descending order list in the javelin with his top heave of 217-8.
The women's squad has racked up nine national qualifying performances this season, with two ranking inside the top four in the nation and six ranking inside the top 20.
Annabeth Baalmann climbed to No. 3 in the pole vault after clearing 13-9.25 at the Alex Francis Classic, setting a new facility record, while
Katie Linenberger is now fourth in the high jump with her outdoor school-record clearance of 5-10.
Emma Slade's school-record toss of 163-11 in the discus is 11th nationally while the sophomore is 15th in the hammer with a top heave of 182-3.
Emily Diercks McCullough currently ranks 18th in Division II in the 10,000m with a time of 34:52.18, while
Natalee North is 19th in the discus with a mark of 158-7.
Both teams are one of five MIAA programs listed inside the top 25 this week. The Tigers will next travel to Pittsburg, Kan. for the MIAA Championships May 1-3.
