Haidyn Wamsley's athletic accomplishments, at this point, are never surprising.
However, they always manage to impress.
After coming close on several occasions throughout the outdoor season, Wamsley, one of the most talented multi-sport athletes on campus in recent memory, eclipsed the NAIA National 'B' Standard mark in the high jump by posting a five-foot, five-and-three-quarters inch jump in the Westerville, Ohio-based Otterbein Invitational Friday evening -- located on the northeastern side of the Columbus metropolitan area.
In setting her new best outdoor high jump mark of the year, Wamsley sits tied for 14th overall in the NAIA in the event. The First-Team All-River States Conference volleyball talent and First-Team All-RSC high jumper on the indoor side of the spectrum looks primed to contend for her third first-team honor of the year, and her second conference championship as an individual, as her high jump mark betters that of fellow multi-sport talent Emma Pavelik of Point Park (Pa.), who jumped five feet, five inches at the Charlotte 49er Classic on March 14.
Wamsley's mark is tied for the highest NAIA National 'B' Standard mark in the NAIA. The alum out of nearby Northwest High School came within a quarter-inch of obtaining an NAIA National 'A' Standard in the event and bettered four NCAA Division I athletes in the 20-competitor field.
Behind Wamsley, Shawnee State sophomore Olivia Cisco continues to prove herself as an up-and-coming distance runner.
Running in a competitive 5,000 meter run with 55 individuals taking part in the meet, Cisco was one of just three runners to better the 18-minute mark en route to her third place showing. Her 17:59.75 finished less than 20 seconds off of a NAIA National 'B' Standard time.
Brianna Brudy, like the former pair before her, continues to have an excellent outdoor track season -- as the sophomore cleared 17 feet, one-and-a-half inches in the long jump to score a third place finish of her own. Both Cisco and Brudy each bettered at least one NCAA Division I competitor each en route to their respective showings.
Additional
Behind the main trio, the remainder of the performances were as follows:
Long jump: Ivy Gentry (ninth, 15 feet, three inches)
Javelin: Faith Kuhn (ninth, 76 feet, five inches), Shelby Rhoden (12th, 65 feet, five inches)
One mile: Amanda Salmons (10th, 5:46.19)
High jump: Makenna Lovely and Makaela Lovely (13th and 14th, four feet, nine-and-three-quarters inches)
Discus: Shelby Rhoden (15th, 90 feet), Faith Kuhn (16th, 84 feet, one inch)
Shot put: Faith Kuhn (16th, 32 feet, nine-and-three-quarters inches), Shelby Rhoden (21st, 29 feet, one-half inch)
5,000 meter run: Jozi Brown (17th, 18:50.91), Juniper Allen (28th, 19:25.87), Mckenna Pannell (39th, 19:45.60), Beth Middleton (41st, 19:48)
800 meter run: Amanda Salmons (28th, 2:36.01)
The women's track and field program will be back in action next Thursday and Friday at the River States Conference Championships, which will be held in Pittsburgh, Pa.
For more information on SSU Bears Athletics, visit www.ssubears.com or visit the Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube pages at https://twitter.com/
SSUBears, https://www.
facebook.com/SSUBears, https:/
/www.instagram.com/ssubears/?
hl=en, and https://www.
youtube.com/@
ssubearsathletics/videos. For more information on how to join the SSU Bear Club or for sponsorship of specific SSU players or events, visit https://givetossu.com/
bear-club and https://
givetossu.com/sponsorthebears.
