Kansas State University Athletics
Shankar, Otuonye Make Debuts in Commonwealth Games Finals
Apr 11, 2018 | Track & Field
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Freshman standout Tejaswin Shankar and former Wildcat and all-American Ifeanyi Otuonye made their debuts in the Commonwealth Games Finals at Carrara Stadium in Carrara, Australia on Wednesday, where Shankar placed sixth in the men's high jump and Otuonye placed ninth in the men's long jump.
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Shankar, the freshman from New Delhi, India, finished sixth overall in the men's high jump finals, with a jump of 2.24m/7-04-25, while Otuonye, representing his native Turks and Caicos Islands, finished ninth overall with a jump of 7.80m/25-07.25.
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"It was definitely a different experience for him [Tejaswin Shankar]. He now knows better of what to expect in these types of competitions and will be better from this experience," Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Cliff Rovelto said of Shankar's performance. "It is heady stuff for a young, 19-year old to make a final and perform as he did."
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Shankar made his Commonwealth Games debut on Sunday, by jumping 2.21m/7-03 to place in the top 12 in the qualifying round, which was enough to place him in the high jump final on Monday.
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In the finals, Shankar cleared the opening height on his second attempt at 2.18m/7-01.75, after missing on his first attempt. Shankar got on a roll, making quick work by clearing 2.21m/7-03 and 2.24m/7-04.25 on his first attempts, which placed him in a tie for first after three jumps.
Despite only missing one jump leading to the height of 2.27m/7-05.25, Shankar struggled to make it over the bar, which would have put him near his personal best and Indian National Record of 2.28m/7-05.75. Consequently, Shankar bowed out after three missed attempts at 2.27m/7-05.25, placing him in a tie for sixth in his Commonwealth Games debut. Australian Brandon Starc went on to win the event by jumping a personal best 2.32m/7-07.25.
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After setting a new Turks and Caicos National Record in the Commonwealth Games qualifying round on Monday, Otuonye returned to the long jump pit for the finals on Wednesday.
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Otuonye got the day started with a jump of 7.45m/24-05.50 on his first attempt, before improving steadily throughout his three attempts. Situated eighth overall through round one of jumps, Otuonye reached 7.70m/25-03.25 on his second attempt to move him into seventh place.
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On his final attempt, Otuonye improved to 7.80m/25-07.25 to cap off his Commonwealth Games finals debut by placing ninth overall. With his record-breaking qualifying round on Monday, Otuonye became the first athletics finals qualifier in Turks and Caicos history.
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"This was a great experience for him [Ifeanyi Otuonye] because this is something we wanted to do well at and perform for his country," Assistant Coach Vincent Johnson said. "For his confidence and his country, he did well and he has a very bright future."
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K-State will have two more Wildcats in action on Wednesday, as sophomore Nina Schultz begins the heptathlon competition on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. CT with the women's heptathlon 100-meter hurdles. Schultz enters the Commonwealth Games with the best heptathlon score (6,018 pts.) in the world this season.
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After Schultz gets started on the track, senior Jess St. John will make her appearance in the women's shot put qualifying round at 9:15 p.m. St. John is making her Commonwealth Games debut on Wednesday, representing Antigua and Barbuda.
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For more information on the Commonwealth Games, including a full schedule, entries and more, click here. Live stream will be available via WatchESPN by clicking here.
For the latest on K-State track and field follow @kstatesports and @KStateTFXC on Twitter or Kansas State Track & Field/Cross Country on Facebook.
Commonwealth Games (April 11)
Carrara Stadium
Carrara, Australia
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Men's High Jump
T6. Tejaswin Shankar, 2.24m/7-04.25
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Men's Long Jump
9. Ifeanyi Otuonye, 7.80m/25-07.25 (.7)
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Shankar, the freshman from New Delhi, India, finished sixth overall in the men's high jump finals, with a jump of 2.24m/7-04-25, while Otuonye, representing his native Turks and Caicos Islands, finished ninth overall with a jump of 7.80m/25-07.25.
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"It was definitely a different experience for him [Tejaswin Shankar]. He now knows better of what to expect in these types of competitions and will be better from this experience," Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Cliff Rovelto said of Shankar's performance. "It is heady stuff for a young, 19-year old to make a final and perform as he did."
Â
Shankar made his Commonwealth Games debut on Sunday, by jumping 2.21m/7-03 to place in the top 12 in the qualifying round, which was enough to place him in the high jump final on Monday.
Â
In the finals, Shankar cleared the opening height on his second attempt at 2.18m/7-01.75, after missing on his first attempt. Shankar got on a roll, making quick work by clearing 2.21m/7-03 and 2.24m/7-04.25 on his first attempts, which placed him in a tie for first after three jumps.
ÂShankar is ?? and over at 2.21m/7-03, and he makes it look easy ?? pic.twitter.com/LRUW8NLk2z
— K-State Track (@KStateTFXC) April 11, 2018
Despite only missing one jump leading to the height of 2.27m/7-05.25, Shankar struggled to make it over the bar, which would have put him near his personal best and Indian National Record of 2.28m/7-05.75. Consequently, Shankar bowed out after three missed attempts at 2.27m/7-05.25, placing him in a tie for sixth in his Commonwealth Games debut. Australian Brandon Starc went on to win the event by jumping a personal best 2.32m/7-07.25.
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After setting a new Turks and Caicos National Record in the Commonwealth Games qualifying round on Monday, Otuonye returned to the long jump pit for the finals on Wednesday.
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Otuonye got the day started with a jump of 7.45m/24-05.50 on his first attempt, before improving steadily throughout his three attempts. Situated eighth overall through round one of jumps, Otuonye reached 7.70m/25-03.25 on his second attempt to move him into seventh place.
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On his final attempt, Otuonye improved to 7.80m/25-07.25 to cap off his Commonwealth Games finals debut by placing ninth overall. With his record-breaking qualifying round on Monday, Otuonye became the first athletics finals qualifier in Turks and Caicos history.
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"This was a great experience for him [Ifeanyi Otuonye] because this is something we wanted to do well at and perform for his country," Assistant Coach Vincent Johnson said. "For his confidence and his country, he did well and he has a very bright future."
Â
K-State will have two more Wildcats in action on Wednesday, as sophomore Nina Schultz begins the heptathlon competition on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. CT with the women's heptathlon 100-meter hurdles. Schultz enters the Commonwealth Games with the best heptathlon score (6,018 pts.) in the world this season.
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After Schultz gets started on the track, senior Jess St. John will make her appearance in the women's shot put qualifying round at 9:15 p.m. St. John is making her Commonwealth Games debut on Wednesday, representing Antigua and Barbuda.
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For more information on the Commonwealth Games, including a full schedule, entries and more, click here. Live stream will be available via WatchESPN by clicking here.
For the latest on K-State track and field follow @kstatesports and @KStateTFXC on Twitter or Kansas State Track & Field/Cross Country on Facebook.
Commonwealth Games (April 11)
Carrara Stadium
Carrara, Australia
Â
Men's High Jump
T6. Tejaswin Shankar, 2.24m/7-04.25
Â
Men's Long Jump
9. Ifeanyi Otuonye, 7.80m/25-07.25 (.7)
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