PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University men's and women's outdoor track & field teams will send athletes to a trio of meet this week.
 
Multi event athletes will travel to Azusa, Calif., to take part in the Bryan Clay Multi's Thursday and Friday (Apr. 9-10); approximately 35 athletes – throwers and distance runners - will travel to Warrensburg, Mo., to compete in day one action of the Central Missouri Kirk & Kip Mule Relays Thursday; and a large contingent of Gorillas will wrap up the week by competing in the University of Arkansas Spring Invitational Saturday (April 11) at Fayetteville, Ark.
 
The Pitt State women are ranked No. 3 in the most recent NCAA Division II Track & Field Rating Index (TFRI) released by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA), while the Pitt State men are ranked No. 7 nationally.
 
Pitt State athletes compiled 12 individual events victories and 27 NCAA qualifying marks at the 18^th Annual David Suenram Gorilla Classic last Saturday (Apr.3) in Pittsburg.
 
The women currently hold 10 national top 10 marks, including junior Jazmine Williamson's D2 leading mark in the long jump (20-7.75). Sophomore Bethany Umbarger also is ranked No. 4 in the high jump (5-8).
 
The men currently feature six top 10 national marks, including redshirt junior Dylan Sprecker's No. 2 mark in the 1,500 meters (3:40.70). Senior Jack Haukap ranks fourth in the hammer throw (218-0); sophomore Grayson Smith ranks fourth in the pole vault (17-4.5); and sophomore Drake Stapleton ranks fourth in the shot put (59-1.5).