The biggest meet of the year provided positive results as two Bearcats officially punched their tickets to San Angelo, Texas on May 21 for the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
Ben McKim achieved an automatic qualifying bid in the shot put by throwing 58 feet, three inches on the third day of the Kansas Relays in Lawrence, Kan. McKim's mark moves him solely into fourth place on the all-time performers list, past his brother Daniel.
"It was a great honor for him," coach Scott Lorek said. "The guy works his tail off. It was a great day for him at a very prestigious meet. It was a neat, exciting thing for him."
Audrey Bailey also reached the automatic mark in the 400-meter hurdles at the Kansas Relays. Bailey turned in a time of one minute and six-tenths of a second, lowering her career best by more than two-tenths of a second.
"This year at Kansas she expected more," Lorek said. "She expected to make the finals and place as high as she could. She would tell you it wasn't a perfect race for her, but it sure was a good one."
In addition to McKim and Bailey, three other 'Cats got their names on the list of potential candidates for the championships with provisional qualifying marks at the Central Missouri Mule Relays in Warrensburg, Mo.
Tyler Shaw won the 110-meter hurdles (14.59 seconds), Martin Curley finished second in the triple jump (46 meters, five and three-fourth inches) and Kate Walter finished fourth in the hammer throw (168 meters, three inches).
"I think we had some breakthroughs down there," Lorek said. "I think Tyler Shaw is now in position to run some really fast times. Martin Curley got exactly what he earned. It's exciting to see that for a guy who is just a workhorse. We were just waiting for Kate Walter to bust one, she threw several 157's and she finally did with the 168."
Indoor All-American Emily Churchman credits Lorek's coaching for the success and positive attitude of the team.
"We're working hard at practice all the time," Churchman said. "It helps an athlete with a consistent performance I think. Coach Lorek does an amazing job at making practice a place where you want to be and want to work hard. He is an amazing coach and there is no way I would personally have the success I have without him."
The team has garnered 11 provisional qualifiers so far this season to go along with the two automatic qualifiers.
"This is probably the most qualifiers we've had since I've been here," Lorek said. "There are definitely a few more people I'm expecting to make the list and I think they'll round out in the next couple of weeks."
Northwest begins competition at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa on Friday. It's one of three meets Northwest will compete in over the weekend.
"Drake's such a great thing to just be in," Lorek said. "We're just looking for them to have a great experience and just run real fast. It's so hard to get in so just getting people in is good."
The Bearcats will also send athletes to compete in the Kip Janvrin Simpson College Open in Indianola, Ill. on Friday and at home in the MIAA Multi-Event Championships on Sunday and Monday.
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