2024-25 Men's XC and Track & Field

[1972Shocker]

Is this someone that is enrolling at semester or next season?

I don't know for sure. At this point I am assuming next season as I have seen nothing to indicate that he will be enrolling at semester.

[1972Shocker]

RH: Coaches Excited About Deep Group Of Hurdlers

Tyler Carroll, in a scenario not unusual for a freshman, endured ups and downs in his first season as a Wichita State hurdler.

His solution was to spend his summer on the track at Central City (Neb.) High School, the place he turned into a four-time state medalist and set school records in the 110- and 300-meter hurdles.

If he felt down or lacked motivation, he thought about Faith, his sister who also hurdled.

"I always looked up to her," he said. "She's one of the hardest workers I know. I watched her grow up, and when she had a good race, it motivated me to keep pushing. If I had a bad race, I could look back on that and it would drive me to do better."

Carroll's summer work paid off when he won Wichita State's intrasquad meet in early December, lowering his time in the 60-meter hurdles to 7.91 from 8:21. That progress adds to a strong hurdles group that hurdles coach John Wise compares to the 2012 group that featured second-team All-Americans Todd McKown and Lawson Montgomery.

"This is probably the deepest group we've ever had," Wise said. "When we talk with a recruit, we say 'If you want to come hurdle here, you're going to join up with one of the best groups in the country.'"

Senior Jaleel Montgomery and sophomore Josh Parrish are WSU's top returning hurdlers. The group also includes senior Hudson Bailey, sophomore Jason Parrish (Josh's twin), junior Bryan Haney, sophomore Brock Merz, sophomore Luke Czarnecki and freshmen Luke Holthusen and Asher Buggs-Tipton.

"Fast," said Josh Parrish, who earned All-American Athletic Conference honors in the 110-meter hurdles and the long jump outdoors last spring. "We're great at starting off the blocks. We attack it. Some hurdlers like to take it slow or hesitate. We attack it and that's what get us the jumps."

Montgomery, from Wichita West High School, is the experienced hurdler of the group. He is tied for third on WSU's career list for the 60-meter hurdles (7.79) and tied for fourth in the 60 at 6.82 seconds. Outdoors, he is No. 7 in the 100 (10.37).

"He's a grinder, every day, loves the track, doesn't want to leave the track," Wise said.

Montgomery, with the departure of Joseph Holthusen, took over the leadership role. He leads the Shockers in their sprint and hurdling drills, organizes, encourages and dispenses advice.

"Last year, I called (Holthusen) 'Grandpa' and now that's translated to Jaleel," Carroll said. "He's Grandpa Jaleel. He's my go-to guy. I remember in the beginning of the year it was me and him hurdling and I kept messing up. He told me 'You've got to keep your head up. You can't let this get in your head.'"

Montgomery loves the competition in the group. They are focused on individual goals and team goals such as going 1-2-3 in meets and climbing the national hurdle rankings.

Wise watched Carroll struggle through the increased competition and injuries as a freshman. His work on strength and conditioning over the summer helped him avoid injuries and increase speed.

"He came in in the fall and he's a different person," Wise said. "He's an intense hurdler. He's really into it. He's going to work hard."

Shocker hurdlers should not lack for motivation this spring. The competition within the group should guarantee that.

[1972Shocker]

Wichita State Set for 11th Annual KU-KSU-WSU Triangular

For the majority of the Wichita State track and field team, Friday's 11^th Annual KU-KSU-WSU Triangular will serve as the 2025 indoor season opener.

The Sunflower State showdown is taking place in Manhattan, Kan. for the first time since 2018, hosted by K-State in its one-year-old indoor track facility. Field events begin at noon with the men's weight throw, and running events kick off at 2:30 p.m., starting with the women's 60-meter hurdles.

Each of the three teams will send a 30-man and 30-woman roster to compete for the team title. The meet will be scored using the 7-5-4-3-2-1 system with only two athletes per team able to score in each event.

Two Shockers are entered in four events with freshman Chairo Ogbebor set to compete in triple jump, long jump, the 60 meters and 200 meters and senior Destiny Masters scheduled for the 60-meter hurdles, high jump, long jump and shot put. Ogbebor, along with 19 other athletes will be making their Shocker track and field debuts.

Wichita State has yet to win the KU-KSU-WSU Triangular, while K-State and Kansas have each won five times, with KU claiming that last two-consecutive titles.

The Shockers' best team finishes came in 2015 and 2020 when they took second with 234 and 221 points, respectively.

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Final Men & Women Combined Score: KU 254, WSU 210, KSU (Shocks finish 2nd for the 3rd time in the 11 years of this event)

Final Men's Score: WSU 126, KU 125, KSU 76.
Final Women;s Score: KU 129, KSU 112, and WSU 84

Some nice individual performances for the Shocks from both veterans and newcomers. I post the recap from goshockers.com when that is available.