Track and field star Tuliamuk leads numerous Shockers to All-America status at Nationals

The Wichita State track and field team ended its season this past week at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Drake Stadium.

The Shockers sent eight athletes to the meet and were led by junior Aliphine Tuliamuk. The junior from Kapenguria, Kenya, placed in two different events for the Shockers. She finished fifth in the women’s 5,000 meters and second in the women’s 10,000 meters.

“Aliphine’s second-place finish was one of the most special moments ever in Shocker track and field history,” Shocker coach Steve Rainbolt said.

Tuliamuk finished with a time of 16:11.34 in the 5,000 meters and 32:45.43 in the 10,000 meters.

Tuliamuk’s performances earned her USTFCCCA First Team All-America honors in both the 5,000 and 10,000 meters. Tuliamuk is now the only WSU track and field student to garner four All-America titles in a season. She was also the only female athlete in NCAA Division I this season to finish in the top eight of the indoor 3,000 meters, indoor 5,000 meters, outdoor 10,000 meters and outdoor 5,000 meters.

The Shockers also had four athletes gain Second Team All-America honors. To receive Second Team All-America honors an athlete must finish between ninth and 16th place at Nationals.

Sophomore Natalie Morerod finished 14th in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 58.35. Senior Lawson Montgomery placed 13th in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 13.79, while senior Todd McKown finished 16th in the same event with a time of 13.84. Senior Brett Trudo was the last Shocker to gain All-America honors with an 11th place finish in the javelin. Trudo had a top throw of 233-10 at Nationals.

“I’m really proud of those athletes for advancing to such an elite level. Every one of them competed well at the national level,” Rainbolt said. “When you consider the level and the stage they were competing on I thought they did a beautiful job.”