Pittsburg, Kan.----Wingate University senior high jumper Vanisha Wilshire (Louisburg, N.C.) finished second in the NCAA Division II indoor championship meet at the Robert W. Plaster Center Saturday evening. Bulldog freshman triple jumper Darius Weathers (Columbia, S.C.) finished 13th in his first appearance on the national stage (results).
 
Wilshire finishes second for the second consecutive NCAA national championship meet, as she was second at the D2 outdoor event in May (in Charlotte). The NCAA silver medal is her third overall, as Wilshire was second at the 2017 D2 indoor event her sophomore year (in Birmingham). The 2019 Southeast Region field Athlete of the Year, Wilshire has six NCAA All-American trophies.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED for Vanisha Wilshire

Wilshire started her day with a miss and a make at 1.63 meters. She needed only one attempt to clear 1.68 meters. Wilshire kept battling, needing two tries each to navigate 1.71 meters and 1.74 meters.
 
Six student-athletes cleared 1.74 meters, but only NCAA Division II national champion Yashira Rhymer-Stuart from Bellarmine (Ky.) could clear 1.77 meters. Rhymer-Stuart passed at 1.63 meters and needed only one try each to clear 1.68, 1.71, 1.74 and 1.77 meters. She gave 1.81 meters a try, but was unsuccessful in three attempts.
 
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
 
Wingate distance coach Ashley Glover on Vanisha Wilshire: "Though I know Vanisha isn't walking away satisfied, I'm proud of how she fought through not feeling perfect today. To finish runner-up again is a big accomplishment. Not being satisfied is what makes Vanisha a great competitor and will continue to carry her in the future. I'm looking forward to what she does after another rest period heading into outdoor."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED for Darius Weathers
 
One of only three freshmen in the NCAA men's triple jump field, Weathers fouled on his first two attempts. On his third try, he soared 14.49 meters. Weathers missed second team All-American honors (given to finishers nine through 12) by 0.21 meters. Sixteen student-athletes competed in the NCAA men's triple jump this year.
 
Lincoln (Mo.) freshman Ryan Brown won the men's triple jump with his mark of 16.01 meters. St. Augustine's senior Jumonne Exeter was third (15.66 meters), while Carson-Newman senior Jahvad McDermott was 11th (14.80 meters). McDermott won the SAC indoor men's triple jump with his mark of 14.88 meters. Weathers had the best triple jump in the league this season at 14.89 meters.
 
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
 
Wingate distance coach Ashley Glover on Darius 'Dash' Weathers: "Dash has continued to learn and grow over the past few months and this weekend added to this growth. He made some adjustments to get on the board on his third jump and stayed confident throughout the meet. It's a big accomplishment to make it on the national stage as a freshman and an important opportunity which I know will set the stage for his career at Wingate and the continued growth of our program on a national level. I'm proud of his hard work."
 
THIS AND THAT
 
>Three of the top four finishers in the women's high jump are seniors: Bellarmine's Rhymer-Stuart, Wingate's Wilshire and Texas A&M-Kingsville senior LaGae Brigance, who tied Tiffin freshman Marisa Gwinner for third place at 1.74 meters.
 
>Wilshire will have good memories from the Robert W. Plaster Center at Pittsburg State, as she was third in the D2 indoor national meet last year. She cleared 1.74 meters in the 2018 event to take the bronze medal.
 
>Earlier this month, Wilshire was named the USTFCCCA Southeast Region indoor Field Athlete of the Year for the third consecutive season. 
 
>On Friday evening, Wingate senior high jumper Isaiah Kyle (Morristown, Tenn.) won the first national track and field championship in the school's history. Kyle's triumphant mark measured 2.18 meters.
 
-Earlier Saturday, Queens junior Felix Wammetsberger won the men's mile with his time of 4:11.08. He edged sophomore teammate Daniel Wallis by 0.02 seconds. Wallis posted a time of 4:11.20.
 
WHAT'S NEXT FOR WINGATE T&F
 
Wingate's first outdoor meet of the 2019 season starts Thursday, when the Bulldogs will travel up Highway 74 to participate in the Charlotte 49er Classic March 14-16. Wingate will participate in eight regular season outdoor meets this spring. The South Atlantic Conference outdoor track and field championship meet is slated for April 18-20 in Hickory.
 
WINGATE UNIVERSITY
 
A comprehensive, independent and growing university, Wingate serves more than 3,600 students in North Carolina. Founded in 1896, the University offers 37 undergraduate majors as well as graduate and professional programs. Wingate is home to the Cannon College of Arts and Sciences, the Levine College of Health Sciences, the Byrum School of Business, the Thayer School of Education and the School of Sport Sciences. Wingate blends in-class exploration with out-of-class application to deliver an uncommon and life-changing educational experience.
 
In addition to a robust intramural athletics program, Wingate student athletes compete in 22 NCAA Division II sports. The University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past 12 years. Wingate is first in the 2000s among NCAA Division II and North Carolina's colleges and universities with 106 CoSIDA Academic All-America® selections. Wingate is tops among all SAC schools with 115 lifetime Academic All-America® honorees. For more information on WU athletics, go to www.wingatebulldogs.com. Current news and videos can be found at www.wingate.edu.