AUSTIN, Texas- Five Shockers competed on day one of the NCAA West Region Preliminary, a meet where the top 12 performers in each event advance to the NCAA Outdoor Championships. One Shocker punched her ticket to the national meet.
Aliphine Tuliamuk-Bolton finished second with a time of 34:52.71 to qualify for nationals in the 10,000m run. The senior will attempt to qualify for the 5,000m run Saturday night.
"It was perfect," said Distance Coach, Kirk Hunter. "She couldn't have done it any better."
Tuliamuk-Bolton has earned NCAA First Team All-American honors 11 times. She will attempt to win her first NCAA Championship June 6-8.
Also, on day one, Natalie Morerod placed 25th in the women's 400m hurdles. Morerod missed qualifying for the quarterfinals by .05 seconds. The junior will return for her final season next year as a favorite to win the MVC 400m Hurdles Championship.
Zach Budda and Garrett Lynch both cleared 6-7 ¾ in the high jump. Lynch finished 36th and Budda placed 42nd as the freshman finished their rookie campaigns.
Tanya Friesen jumped a mark of 18-8 ½ (5.70m) in the long jump. The senior did not qualify for nationals in the long jump but will try to advance to the NCAA Championships in the high jump. Friesen has already qualified for the NCAA Championships in the heptathlon.
The NCAA Preliminaries will continue on Friday. Mariah Garcia will make her NCAA West Preliminary debut in the discus throw at 12 p.m. Friesen will return to compete in the high jump along with the MVC Outdoor High Jump Champion, Ashley Petersen starting at 6 p.m.
On the men's side, Chris Dubree will enter the ring in the shot put, Friday at 6 p.m. Tomas Cotter will toe the line in the final event of the night, the 3,000m steeplechase, at 9:45 p.m.
Click here to watch Friday's action as these Shockers try to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Follow Wichita State Track & Field on twitter for exclusive updates and pictures from the meet.
