4×400 Relay Breaks School Record, Five Wildcats Qualify for NCAA Championship

The last day of competition starts at 1 p.m. CT on Saturday

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (K-State Athletics) – The K-State track and field teams qualified for the NCAA Championship in three events on Friday (May 24) during the third day of the NCAA West Preliminary at John McDonnell Field.

Seniors Eugene Omalla and Andrew White qualified individually in the 400 meter dash and discus throw before the men’s 4×400 relay, freshman Nen Matlock, E. Omalla and seniors Jaimie Omalla and Kyle Gale, ended the day with a new school record time.

The relay team finished second in its heat with a time of 3:03.15, and 6^th overall, to claim a new school record. The previous record, 3:03.97, was from the West Preliminary in 2022 in which Gale also ran the last leg of the race.

Earlier in the day, E. Omalla ran in the 400 meter dash quarterfinals where he finished third in his heat, and 9^th overall, in 45.74 seconds. This will be Omalla’s first trip to the NCAA Division I outdoor championship. In 2021, while competing for McKendree University, he went to the Division II outdoor championship.

White finished 12^th in the discus with a throw of 57.08m/187-3, to reach the outdoor championship for the first time.

Three men competed in the high jump; sophomore Aaron Antoine tied for 14^th by clearing a height of 2.14m/7-0.25, his fourth time over that height this outdoor season. Junior Marcus Gelpi tied for 25^th place with a height of 2.09m/6-10.25. Senior Devon Richardson went over a height of 2.04m/6-8.25, tying for 31^st.

Junior Tommy Hazen ran in the 3,000 meter steeplechase quarterfinals with a time of 9:45.52, placing 47^th.

During the final day of competition on Saturday (May 25), six women will compete. In the discus throw at 1 p.m. CT, is sophomore Tamaiah Koonce and junior Daisy Monie prior to the high jump at 2 p.m. with sophomore Sharie Enoe and junior Vanessa Mercera. On the track at 5:40 p.m., sophomore Cecilia Fisher and senior Hannah Stewart will race in the 3,000 meter steeplechase quarterfinals.

NCAA West Preliminary
John McDonnell Field
Fayetteville, Ark.

Men’s Discus Throw
12. Andrew White, 57.08m/187-3*
Nate Collier, F

Men’s High Jump
T14. Aaron Antoine, 2.14m/7-0.25
T25. Marcus Gelpi, 2.09m/6-10.25
T31. Devon Richardson, 2.04m/6-8.25

Men’s 3,000 Meter Steeplechase Quarterfinals
47. Tommy Hazen, 9:45.52

Men’s 400 Meter Dash Quarterfinals
9. Eugene Omalla, 45.74*

Men’s Triple Jump
Devon Richardson, F

Men’s 4×400 Relay Quarterfinals
6. K-State, 3:03.15*
(Nen Matlock, Eugene Omalla, Jaimie Omalla, Kyle Gale)

How to follow the ‘Cats: For complete information on the K-State Track and Field and Cross Country Teams, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team’s social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Threads, Facebook and Instagram.