Shanklin, Korir set for NCAAs

The University of Wyoming track and field teams will send two Cowboys to the NCAA Championships beginning Wednesday and continuing through Saturday at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark.

Seniors Jake Shanklin and Mark Korir will be competing for the last time for the Brown and Gold on Wednesday, looking to qualify for the finals that will be Friday. The top 12 in the hammer throw and the top 14 in the 3,000-meter steeplechase will move on to the finals.

Shanklin, in the hammer throw, is currently ranked 10th out of 25 individuals with his personal best toss of 219-feet, 11 inches, which ranks third in UW history.

“He is a seasoned veteran and I am just trying to keep him fresh for this weekend,” said assistant coach Paul Barrett. “Jake just has to do what he has done all year in order to move onto the finals on Friday.”

Shanklin has earned All-American status twice during his career, both during the indoor season in the 35-pound weight throw. This will be his second trip to the outdoor NCAA Championships as he competed in 2007 and unfortunately fouled all three times.

Korir will compete in the 3,000-meter steeplechase on Wednesday in the first of two heats that totals to 25 individuals for 14 spots on Friday. Korir ran his personal best in the event at the Midwest Regionals last week with his time of 8 minutes, 54.21 seconds.

“Mark is a great racer and a great competitor, and if he doesn’t make it to the finals, it won’t be due to a lack of determination,” said assistant coach Randy Cole. “Mark just needs to be prepared for any surges and have the ability to run a great last two or three laps to give himself a chance.”

Korir has been named All-American three times, twice during the cross country season and once during the indoor season in the 5,000-meter run. Korir’s time in the steeplechase ranks sixth all-time in Wyoming history.

Television coverage of the NCAA Championships will be aired live on Friday at 5 p.m. MT, on CBS College Sports and Saturday at 11 am. MT, on CBS Sports. Live web coverage and live stats are available online at www.ncaa.com/dioutdoortrack09.

Shanklin will kick off the championships at the Don McDonnell Field on the campus of the University of Arkansas at 8:30 a.m. (MT) with the hammer throw, while Korir will compete at 6:15 p.m. (MT).