Three Wildcats Selected to Compete at 2022 NCAA Indoor Championships
Mar 02, 2022 | Track & Field
INDIANAPOLIS – The Kansas State track and field team will have three individuals competing at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, which are set for March 11-12 at the Birmingham Crossplex in Birmingham, Alabama.
Fifth-year seniors Tejaswin Shankar (men's high jump) and Taishia Pryce (women's long jump), alongside junior Kassidy Johnson (women's 800-meter run) will represent the Wildcats in their respective events.
"I am happy for all three athletes," stated Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Cliff Rovelto. "It is very difficult to qualify for the NCAA Indoor Championships. When you look at the population of athletes both in terms of numbers and quality, the fact that only 16 individuals per event qualify, it is probably the most difficult championship to qualify for in the world today. In recent years, there have been athletes competing at the world indoor that did not qualify for the NCAA Indoor Championships."
Shankar will compete in the men's high jump division as he is currently ranked second in the nation, while Pryce will compete in the women's long jump and Johnson will be in the women's 800-meter run.
"Taishia and Tejaswin have been to the national meets a number of times before and this will be their final indoor championship," said Rovelto. "This will be Kassidy's first time having this opportunity. I am a big fan of these athletes who consistently step up in the competitions that are important to our team. Whether it is a tri-meet with our rivals, the conference championships or the NCAA's, we look for our athletes to perform at their best when it matters most."
Previously, Shankar was crowned runner-up at the Big 12 Indoor Track and Field Championships in Ames, Iowa and Johnson set a school record on an oversized track in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:04.00. Johnson's time at the conference meet bumped her up from 31st in the nation to 15th.
"Kassidy has consistently performed at a high level," stated Rovelto. "I am confident in her and look forward to watching her compete on this new stage. I know she will represent well."
Pryce sits at the eighth spot on the national charts in the long jump with a leap of 6.54m/21-5.50 achieved at the Texas Tech Open & Multis on January 28.
The 2022 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships will kick off on Friday, March 11 with the 60-meter dash of the men's heptathlon at 10 a.m., CT. Events on Saturday, March 12 will begin at 10:30 a.m., CT with the 60-meter hurdles of the men's heptathlon.
ESPN3 will stream the championships live starting at 10 a.m., CT on March 11 and starting at 10:30 a.m., CT on March 12. A re-air of the championship will take place starting at 8:30 p.m., CT on March 13 on ESPNU.
For the latest on K-State Track and Field follow @kstatesports and @KStateTFXC on Twitter or Kansas State Track & Field/Cross Country on Facebook.
Fifth-year seniors Tejaswin Shankar (men's high jump) and Taishia Pryce (women's long jump), alongside junior Kassidy Johnson (women's 800-meter run) will represent the Wildcats in their respective events.
"I am happy for all three athletes," stated Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Cliff Rovelto. "It is very difficult to qualify for the NCAA Indoor Championships. When you look at the population of athletes both in terms of numbers and quality, the fact that only 16 individuals per event qualify, it is probably the most difficult championship to qualify for in the world today. In recent years, there have been athletes competing at the world indoor that did not qualify for the NCAA Indoor Championships."
Shankar will compete in the men's high jump division as he is currently ranked second in the nation, while Pryce will compete in the women's long jump and Johnson will be in the women's 800-meter run.
"Taishia and Tejaswin have been to the national meets a number of times before and this will be their final indoor championship," said Rovelto. "This will be Kassidy's first time having this opportunity. I am a big fan of these athletes who consistently step up in the competitions that are important to our team. Whether it is a tri-meet with our rivals, the conference championships or the NCAA's, we look for our athletes to perform at their best when it matters most."
Previously, Shankar was crowned runner-up at the Big 12 Indoor Track and Field Championships in Ames, Iowa and Johnson set a school record on an oversized track in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:04.00. Johnson's time at the conference meet bumped her up from 31st in the nation to 15th.
"Kassidy has consistently performed at a high level," stated Rovelto. "I am confident in her and look forward to watching her compete on this new stage. I know she will represent well."
Pryce sits at the eighth spot on the national charts in the long jump with a leap of 6.54m/21-5.50 achieved at the Texas Tech Open & Multis on January 28.
The 2022 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships will kick off on Friday, March 11 with the 60-meter dash of the men's heptathlon at 10 a.m., CT. Events on Saturday, March 12 will begin at 10:30 a.m., CT with the 60-meter hurdles of the men's heptathlon.
ESPN3 will stream the championships live starting at 10 a.m., CT on March 11 and starting at 10:30 a.m., CT on March 12. A re-air of the championship will take place starting at 8:30 p.m., CT on March 13 on ESPNU.
For the latest on K-State Track and Field follow @kstatesports and @KStateTFXC on Twitter or Kansas State Track & Field/Cross Country on Facebook.
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