FHSU Alex Francis Classic
Friday, April 30, 2021
Hays, Kan. • FHSU Track & Field Facility
Field events begin at 12 p.m.
Running events begin at 2 p.m.
The Fort Hays State track and field teams will compete in Hays for the only time this season on Friday when the Tigers host the Alex Francis Classic at the FHSU Track & Field Facility. Select field events are slated to begin at noon, with action on the track starting at 2 p.m.
Fan attendance is permitted, with individuals asked to wear a face mask and maintain social distance from all other fan groups. Admission is free for all individuals.
Four schools will be represented in the competition, including MIAA rivals Nebraska-Kearney and Emporia State and local NAIA foe Saint Mary. The Loper women are ranked 19th in the latest USTFCCCA NCAA Division II National Ratings, while the Spire men are listed 10th in the latest NAIA ratings.
Women's National Ratings
No. 17 Fort Hays State
No. 19 Nebraska-Kearney
No. 52 Emporia State
No. 33 Saint Mary (NAIA)
Men's National Ratings
No. 29 Fort Hays State
No. 30 Nebraska-Kearney
No. 55 Emporia State
No. 10 Saint Mary (NAIA)
The Tiger women jumped seven spots to 17th in the latest national ratings release thanks to multiple strong performances at Pittsburg State last week. The Tigers have 13 nationally-ranked marks, including Lyric Holman's leap to No. 1 on the 100m dash list with her school-record time of 11.46. Alexandra Hart still ranks seventh in the high jump with a season-best jump of 5-8.5 while FHSU now has a pair of true freshmen in the top 10 in the javelin throw in Rhyann Brown (seventh, 154-3) and Addie Berens (ninth, 151-11).
The women's squad also heads into the week ranked seventh in the central region, up one spot from last week, and fourth in the conference. FHSU has three event squads ranked in the top 10 nationally, including the top-ranked high jump team, the sixth-ranked 100m hurdles squad and the sixth-ranked 400m hurdles unit.
FHSU Women's Track and Field Nationally Ranked Performances
Event - National Rank - Athlete - Mark
100m - 1st - Lyric Holman - 11.46
200m - 26th - Lyric Holman - 24.52
800m - 23rd - Emily Salmans - 2:12.71
100mH - 25th - Mattie Rossi - 14.32
400mH - 17th - Mattie Rossi - 1:01.76
4x100m - 21st - Taylor Savolt, Lyric Holman, Tori Poe, Mattie Rossi - 47.00
HJ - 7th - Alexandra Hart - 5-8.5
HJ - 22nd - Summer Kragel - 5-6
HT - 14th - Laurel Haley - 182-8
JT - 7th - Rhyann Brown - 154-3
JT - 9th - Addie Berens - 151-11
HEPT - 11th - Mattie Rossi - 4,984
HEPT - 22nd - Taylor Savolt - 4,585
The men's team jumped 10 spots in the national rankings to 29th after placing three marks in the top 10 nationally last weekend. The 4x100m relay team of Xavier Robinson, Philip Landrum, Hayden Albright and Malcom Gardner combined for a time of 40.71 in Pittsburg, the ninth-fastest time in DII this season. Jacob Clark and Mark Faber both cleared the 16-9.5 bar in the pole vault, posting career bests and climbing into a tie for ninth in the country this season. FHSU has a total of 15 nationally ranked performances so far this season.
The Tigers enter their home meet ranked third in the region, up one spot from last week, and second in the latest conference ratings. They sport four event squads that rank in the top 10 nationally, including the pole vault (third), 800m run (fifth), high jump (fifth) and javelin throw (eighth).
Men's Track and Field Nationally Ranked Performances
Event - National Rank - Athlete - Mark
100m - 12th - Philip Landrum - 10.49
800m - 26th - Ethan Lang - 1:51.64
800m - 34th - Aaron Mangan - 1:52.06
4x100m - 9th - Xavier Robinson, Philip Landrum, Hayden Albright, Malcom Gardner - 40.71
4x400m - 13th - Hayden Albright, Jack Pakkebier, Nolan Churchman, Ethan Lang - 3:14.24
HJ - 19th - Blayne Godshall - 6-8.75
HJ - 19th - Dayton Williams - 6-8.75
PV - 9th - Mark Faber - 16-9.5
PV - 9th - Jacob Clark - 16-9.5
PV - 13th - Ryan Stanley - 16-9.25
LJ - 33rd - Xavier Robinson - 23-7.25
DT - 34th - Kolgan Ohl - 164-6
JT - 17th - David Enns - 202-1
DEC - 17th - Matthew Pieper - 6,738
DEC - 34th - Jack Pakkebier - 6,256
This is the final tune-up event for the Tigers before they head to the MIAA Championships next weekend (May 8-9) in Pittsburg, Kan.
FHSU Athletics