NEW ORLEANS - The Fort Hays State women's outdoor track and field team will head into the postseason ranked 23rd in Division II according to the latest USTFCCCA Track and Field Rating Index, released Tuesday (May 12) by the coaches organization.
 
The Tigers moved up two spots this week from 25th a week ago. The team put together nine national qualifying performances this season, with seven of those earning a trip to the 2026 NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships next week (May 21-23) in Emporia, Kan.
 
FHSU has five performances that rank inside the top 20 nationally, including two that are inside the top five.
 
Annabeth Baalmann is tied for the national lead in the pole vault after tying her outdoor school record at the MIAA Championships with a clearance of 14-0.5.
 
Katie Linenberger enters the postseason ranked fourth nationally after breaking the school record in the high jump, clearing 5-10 at the FHSU Alex Francis Classic.
 
Emma Slade currently ranks 11th in the discus with her school-record toss of 163-11 while she will also head to nationals in the hammer where she ranks 22nd with a mark of 182-3.
 
Liberty Booker moved to 16th in the nation in the hammer last week with a heave of 184-11 at the Loper Twilight, securing her trip to nationals.
 
Emily Diercks McCullough is slotted 18th on the descending order list with a time of 34:52.18 in the 10,000m.
 
Natalee North rounds out the national qualifier list, ranking 21st in the discus with a top mark of 158-7.
 
The Tiger men are ranked 33rd in the country this season thanks to 16 national qualifying performances, including three that rank inside the top 10.