K-State Track and Field Teams Shine at NCAA West Preliminary
K-State’s track and field teams made history at the NCAA West Preliminary held from May 27-30. They achieved remarkable milestones, including the highest number of men’s NCAA Championship qualifiers and a stunning jump by junior Tah Chikomba.
On May 27, during the men’s long jump, Chikomba earned first place with an incredible leap of 8.75 meters (28 feet, 8.5 inches). This jump is not only the NCAA all-conditions best but also the top jump worldwide this season. It ranks eighth among all-time jumps in history.
Head coach Travis Geopfert highlighted the significance of Chikomba’s achievement. He mentioned that although the jump had a slight wind assist, it still surpasses legendary performances from athletes like Erick Walder and Carl Lewis. Geopfert expressed immense pride in Chikomba’s accomplishment, emphasizing its importance on both a collegiate and global scale.
Before this, the collegiate record was held by Walder at 8.74 meters, set back in 1994. In fact, only one other jump in the last decade has reached the world’s top ten, showcasing how rare Chikomba’s leap is. The longest recorded jump remains Mike Powell’s 8.99 meters from 1992.
Chikomba was not alone in his success. Thirteen other K-State athletes secured spots for the nationals. Among them were decathletes Dorian Charles and Emil Uhlin, long jumpers Croix DaCunha and Uroy Ryan, and triple jumpers Aaron Antoine, Apalos Edwards, and Selva Prabhu, as well as throwers Riley Marx and Gary Moore Jr., plus the 4×400 relay team. This marks a new record for K-State, with 14 qualifiers—a significant increase from the nine who qualified in 2013.
Looking at the competition landscape, Arkansas leads with 18 qualifiers in 12 events, while teams like Tennessee and Texas A&M follow closely. The Big 12 Conference will see a total of 55 athletes competing at the national level.
On the women’s side, K-State sent seven Wildcats to Eugene, including jumpers Aaliyah Lindsay, Destini Smith, and Daniela Wamokpego, along with senior sprinter Vanessa Mercera and the 4×400 relay team.
This year’s total of 21 qualifiers is the highest for K-State since at least 2000, surpassing last year’s count of 16. Notably, K-State leads the NCAA in jumps, with nine athletes entered in these events, further showcasing the team’s strength in this area.
The NCAA Championship is set for June 10-13 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. This event offers athletes a chance to earn First and Second Team All-America honors, heightening the excitement as teams compete for top honors.
For more details about K-State Track and Field, visit K-State Sports.
