Shanklin, Korir earn NCAA bids

From left, Jake Shanklin and Mark Korir

NORMAN, Okla. – The season continues for Wyoming seniors Jake Shanklin and Mark Korir.

Seniors Jake Shanklin and Mark Korir highlighted the NCAA Midwest Regional on Saturday for the Cowboys, qualifying for the NCAA championships on June 10 in Fayetteville, Ark.

Shanklin’s final toss of 219-feet, 1 inch in the hammer throw was good for second place behind Dimitrios Fylladitakis of Texas-El Paso, who won the even at 220-8. Korir ran his personal best time of 8 minutes, 54.21 seco nds to place fifth in the steeplechase. The time was also the sixth best all-time in UW history.

“Jake competed great today in the hot and muggy Norman, Okla., but today made for a perfect stepping stone and preparation for nationals,” said assistant coach Paul Barrett.

“Mark really hung in there and he has been one of the best competitors I have ever seen in the 12 years I have been coaching,” said head coach Don Yentes. “I am very happy that both of these guys will have the opportunity to finish their careers at the NCAA Championships.”

Also for the Cowboys, freshman Joe Plante competed in the discus throw and finished eighth with his throw of 178-2, just 22 inches short of qualifying for the national meet in his first year. Sophomore Jeremiah James finished 13th in the triple jump with his leap of 50-4.5, in the most talented region in the nation. Along with Shanklin, junior Sam Lambert finished the hammer throw in 20th-place with his throw of 178-2.

Junior Emily Higgins competed in the 3,000-meter steeplechase for the Cowgirls and finished 10th with a time of 10:35.79. The Cowgirls 4x400-meter relay team, comprised of freshman Lindsey Simmons, junior Erica Anderson, sophomore Afiya Walker and senior Sharon Larrier placed ninth in 3:42.21.

Junior Johnna Jeffries competed in the high jump and failed to record a height with the bar starting at 5-7, just an inch lower than her personal best.

“I am really proud of the way that everyone competed this weekend and hopefully we can all build from the experience we had here,” said Yentes.