K-State women looking for top-10 finish at NCAA track championships

Kansas State is sending 14 athletes to the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, which begins Wednesday in Eugene, Ore.

Among them are 10 women, making the Wildcats one of 10 programs to send 10 or more entries to the national meet. With a good effort, perhaps they can land their first top-10 finish at the event since 2002.

Leading the way is Akela Jones, who will compete individually in the high jump and heptathlon. She has won five events this year. Alyx Treasure and Kim Williamson will join her in the high jump, while Sara Savatovic will participate in the hammer throw and Dani Winters will compete in the shot put.

Rounding out the group are sprinters Tia’ Gamble, Alyssa Kelly and A’Keyla Mitchell.

On the men’s side, four athletes will compete at nationals. Christoff Bryan and Nate Gipson will lead the way in the high jump, while Ifeanyichukwu Otuonye will make his first appearance in the long jump. Terrell Smith will run the 200-meter dash.

This story was originally published June 9, 2015 at 3:20 PM with the headline "K-State women looking for top-10 finish at NCAA track championships."