FHSU Athletics
The Fort Hays State track and field team delivered a strong performance Friday at the Loper Tune-Up, securing multiple event titles while Annabeth Baalmann continued her historic season in the women's pole vault. The team also sent athletes to the Nebraska Tune-Up to compete against a competitive Division I field.
Baalmann stole the show once again, clearing 14-0.50 to set a new school record—a mark that now ranks fourth in NCAA Division II this season. Her record-breaking effort highlighted a dominant showing for the Tigers. The men's pole vault squad was led by Jacob Clark, who claimed victory, followed by Brady Deges, Kurtis McCormick, and Mason Younger, completing an impressive 1-4 finish.
On the track, the Tigers showcased their depth in the 60m dash, with four athletes advancing to the finals, narrowly missing provisional qualifying marks. Daniel Little raced to victory in the men's mile, clocking a time of 4:32.70, while Ethan Salmans secured first place in the men's 60m hurdles with a time of 8.47. Kenny Fritsch added another title in the men's 200m, crossing the line in 23.24. Keziah Bachman claimed victory in the women's 3,000m, crossing the finish line in 12:07.24 to lead the field. On the men's side, Ian Weich dominated the 3,000m race, clocking a time of 9:09.37 to secure first place. Competing in Lincoln, Neb., Reba Mader secured a win in the 400m, finishing in 56.92, while Hayden Albright earned runner-up honors in the 200m dash.
In the field events, Jayme Hagerman took the women's long jump title with a personal-best leap of 18-6.00, while Liberty Booker also notched a personal best in the weight throw, finishing third with a mark of 53-2.75.
UP NEXT
Fort Hays State now turns its attention to the MIAA Championships, set for next weekendar. The Tigers look to carry their momentum into the conference meet, aiming to make a strong statement on the championship stage.
FHSU Full Results
Nebraska Tune-Up
Men's 400m
2nd – Hayden Albright – 49.04
4th – Nolan Churchman – 49.78
5th – Drew Tolar – 49.90
7th – Avrey Albright – 50.11
9th – Nakari Morrical-Palmer – 50.42
Women's 400m
1st – Reba Mader – 56.92
Loper Tune-Up
Men's Results
60m Prelims
2nd – Eddie McVay – 6.88q
3rd – Toby Wahlmeier – 6.90q
4th – Kenny Fritsch – 6.92q
7th – Ajai Holmes – 6.99q
11th – Dylan Velasco – 7.28
14th – Kade Harris – 7.47
15th – Cole Darling – 7.53
16th – Brody Burns – 7.54
60m Finals
3rd – Eddie McVay – 6.96
4th – Ajai Holmes – 6.98
5th – Kenny Fritsch – 7.01
6th – Toby Wahlmeier – 7.04
60mH
1st – Ethan Salmans – 8.47
200m
1st – Kenny Fritsch – 23.24
3rd – Dyan Velasco – 24.18
600y
2nd – Asher Wassom – 1:19.33
3rd – Braylon Moore – 1:20.96800m
5th – Emery Wolfe – 2:00.311
Mile
1st – Daniel Little – 4:32.70
2nd – Zach Moore – 4:41.69
3rd – Ethan Emmons – 4:49.04
4th – Hunter Metzger – 4:50.33
3,000m
1st – Ian Weich – 9:09.37
2nd – Andrew Waller – 9:19.37
3rd – Zach Moore – 9:22.62
4th – Hunter Metzger – 9:36.44
5th – Ethan Emmons – 9:58.09
Pole Vault
1st – Jacob Clark – 16-1.75 #
2nd – Brady Deges – 15-7.75
3rd – Kurtis McCormick – 15-7.75
4th – Mason Younger – 15-2.00
8th – Ethan Salmans – 13-8.25
Long Jump
3rd – Dean Clark – 22-7.75
5th – Kade Harris – 20-5.75
6th – Ervin Fierro – 20-5.25
Triple Jump
3rd – Dean Clark – 43-8.00
5th – Ervin Fierro – 42-3.00
Women's Results
60m
2nd – Chloe Mader – 8.17
5th – Amelia Foster – 8.32
60mH
1st – Chloe Mader – 9.38
3rd – Elysia Kunkler – 10.05
5th – Kylin Rudzik – 10.39
400m
1st – Amelia Foster – 1:01.22
800m
3rd – Kyra Nippert – 2:31.751
Mile1st – Keziah Bachman – 5:46.52
3,000m
1st – Keziah Bachman – 12:07.24
Pole Vault
1st – Annabeth Baalmann – 14-0.50 # !
3rd – Piper Robinson – 11-2.75
7th – Liz Moore – 10-8.75
Shot Put
4th – Liberty Booker – 40-2.75
5th – Emma Slade – 40-0.75
12th – Kylin Rudzik – 32-11.75
Weight Throw
3rd – Liberty Booker – 53-3.00
Long Jump
1st – Jayme Hagerman – 18-6.00
2nd – Abby Rueschhoff – 16-10.25
3rd – Elysia Kunkler – 16-4.50
4th – Brynlee Frank – 16-2.50
! indicates school record
# indicates NCAA DII national qualifying mark