Junior shot put thrower Gabby Bailey and senior weight thrower Jake Wickey placed in the top eight in their events at the 2021 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships in Fayetteville, Arkansas. 

“Jake Wickey has been struggling forever for the last two years to get over that 70 foot mark.” coach Bill Lawson said. “The first time he’s at the Nationals to go out and throw solid and stand on the podium as a first team all-American is just a fantastic job.”

Wickey placed eighth in the men’s weight throw with a top throw of 71’-8.5”.

“Gabby Bailey stepping up like she did a couple years ago having a lifetime PR and getting on the podium for sixth is fantastic effort by her and her coach,” said Lawson. 

Bailey placed sixth in the women’s shot put with a personal best throw of 56’-1.75”. 

Senior thrower Grace Tennant and freshman pole vaulter Leah Pasqualetti also qualified and competed at nationals. 

Tenant was just 0.75” away from making it to finals in the women’s shot put, which put her at 10th place. 

“Grace has a fantastic indoor season and had a lifetime pr’s,” Lawson said. “It’s so disappointing for her to be two centimeters away from making the finals and being a first team all American.”

Pasqualetti did not clear the bar in the women’s pole vault. 

“Leah didn’t have a good meet, but she still comes up by qualifying as a second team all American,” Lawson said. 

The four athletes will now move on to their outdoor season. 

“Two first team all-Americans and two second team all-Americans is not a bad day’s work,” Lawson said. “I think we’ll have even better performance from these kids and more fun. We’re more of an outdoor team than we are an indoor team. The future is pretty bright for both the men and women”

Pilar is a sports reporter. Contact her at [email protected].