Sports Highlights Hornets on platform at National Outdoor Track and Field Championships Hurdler Etheridge wins national championship
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or the first time in school history, the Emporia State men were on the podium at the end of the NCAA Division II National Outdoor Track and Field Championships with a fourth place finish in Turlock, Calif. It is the best team finish for the Hornets as a Division II school. Andrew Etheridge, Wichita, gave the Hornets a big boost by winning the national championship as a freshman. His 14.02 time in the 110m hurdles edged out the second place finisher by .01 second. Josh Schuler, Frisco, Tex., provided 17.5 points for the Hornets in his final collegiate competition for ESU. The
senior set school records in the 100m and 200m dashes. He ran a 10.26 in the 100m to finish second and 20.75 in the 200m for another second place performance. He broke his own records in both events. Schuler and Etheridge were both members of ESU’s 400m relay team that placed third. They combined with Derwin Hall, Blue Springs, Mo., and Shjuan Richardson, Muskogee, Okla., to run a 40.70 in the relay. Josh Honeycutt, Iola, picked up his third straight All-American honor in the outdoor triple jump and sixth overall indoors and outdoors.
Kevin Roulhac, Hesston, was the final member of the ESU men’s team to compete on Saturday. He threw 161-09 (49.31m) to place 14th in the discus. “For awhile the men were really getting points in chunks,” said ESU head coach Dave Harris. “What can you say about Andrew’s win in the hurdles – other than just wow!” Katie Mona, Lenexa, made sure the ESU women scored at the national meet for the 17th time since 1994 with a seventh place finish in the 800m. Defending national champion Jennifer Robinson, Altamont, cleared 5-05.00 (1.65m) to place 11th in the high jump.
Athletes reminisce at reunions
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ifty years ago Emporia State enrolled young men from diverse regions of the United States—Florida, New Mexico, District of Columbia, New York, Missouri, and Texas. Despite their regional differences, they formed a very close friendship. Most participated in track and field, football, or basketball, and they created a very deep social and emotional bond that has stood the test of time. Five years ago Jim Walker (BSE’61), a retired educator who now resides in Texas, initiated a reunion in Austin. Shortly after, Landis Franklin suggested the former Emporia State track athletes attend the Millrose Games in New York City’s Madison Square Garden, and the first meeting took place in 2007.
Photo credit: Michael Nevens
A photo taken just before they departed the meet shows, by coincidence, the foursome—(left to right) Edward Washington (BSE’62), Landis Franklin, Noel Certain (BSE’63) and Mel Mayo—standing in the same order they stood fifty years ago with coach Fran Welch when they set the mile relay (now known as the 4 x 400) school record that lasted more than 30 years. The group continues its tradition of mini-reunions at locations around the country. Anyone wishing to participate may email Noel Certain (skywalker309@usa.com) for more information on upcoming events. emporia state universit y 21