The Kansas track and field team is gearing up for the NCAA Outdoor Championships as 11 of its athletes secured spots following a successful showing at the regional competition in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Set to take place in Eugene, Oregon, from June 5-8, the championships will see the Jayhawks well-represented after an impressive performance over the weekend.
Arkansas graduate transfer Yoveinny Mota stole the spotlight, clinching third place in the women’s 100-meter hurdles at regionals. Not only did Mota set a school record with a remarkable time of 12.66 seconds, but she also achieved the Olympic qualifying standard, marking a significant milestone in her athletic career.
Reflecting on her achievement, Mota shared, “Dreams are destined for those who wake up and work every day to achieve them. Today I have officially qualified for my first Olympic Games (Paris 2024) in which I will allow myself to continue a dream that is just beginning.”
Senior Chandler Gibbens showcased his prowess in the long-distance events, securing a second-place finish in the 5,000 meters with a commendable time of 13:45.69. Additionally, Gibbens claimed fourth place in the 10,000 meters, earning him a spot in two separate events at nationals.
Devin Loudermilk, the reigning indoor and outdoor Big 12 Conference champion, maintained his impressive form in the high jump, matching the longest distance in regional competition and securing fourth place overall with a mark of 2.20 meters.
Junior Clayton Simms earned his ticket to Eugene with a successful clearance of 5.42 meters in the pole vault. However, Luke Knipe and other members of KU’s men’s pole vault squad narrowly missed out on qualifying, with Knipe tying for 14th place.
On the women’s side, freshman Mason Meinershagen stood out by clearing 4.30 meters, securing her spot as the lone freshman representing KU at nationals this season.
Sophomore Tayton Klein achieved a season-best mark in the men’s long jump, leaping 7.70 meters to secure 11th place and a spot in Eugene. Klein, alongside Alexander Jung, KU’s Big 12 champion decathlete, will also be competing in the decathlon at NCAAs.
Junior Dimitrios Pavlidis showcased his strength in the discus throw, finishing as runner-up with an impressive distance of 60.69 meters.
Aaliyah Moore, a redshirt junior, delivered a standout performance in the women’s 800 meters, clinching fifth place with a personal-best and school-record time of 2:02.50.
Senior Lona Latema secured her return to nationals in the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase, clocking a time of 10:10.21 for sixth place.
With Gibbens, Jung, Klein, Latema, Pavlidis, and Simms all returning from last year’s championships, the Jayhawks boast a wealth of experience among this year’s contingent. Simms, in particular, will be making his third appearance, aiming to build on his podium finish from last year.
Junior Deshana Skeete and fellow junior Gabby Hoke narrowly missed out on qualification, despite setting personal bests in their respective events, finishing 13th overall in the women’s 400 meters and women’s pole vault.
The Jayhawks’ impressive showing at the regional competition sets the stage for an exciting and competitive performance at the upcoming NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene.