Isenbarger becomes first Hilltopper since 2016 to qualify for NCAA Track and Field Championship

WKU+Hilltoppers%E2%80%99+senior+Katie+Isenbarger+shares+an+excited+moment+with+Brent+Chumbley%2C+head+coach+for+cross-country%2C+track+and+field%2C+after+setting+a+personal+record+for+high-jump+at+the+Lenny+Lyles+Invitational+track+and+field+meet+Saturday%2C+Jan.+28+of+2022+at+the+Norton+Healthcare+Sports+and+Learning+Center+in+Louisville%2C+Kentucky.

Arthur H. Trickett-Wile

WKU Hilltoppers’ senior Katie Isenbarger shares an excited moment with Brent Chumbley, head coach for cross-country, track and field, after setting a personal record for high-jump at the Lenny Lyles Invitational track and field meet Saturday, Jan. 28 of 2022 at the Norton Healthcare Sports and Learning Center in Louisville, Kentucky.

Izzy Lanuza, Sports Reporter

WKU Track & Field announced Tuesday senior Katie Isenbarger became the first WKU female athlete since 2016 to qualify for the NCAA Track & Field Championship. She will be competing in the women’s high jump finals on March 12 in Birmingham, Ala. 

Isenbarger is the first to qualify for the high jump and only the third female since 2000 to qualify for a field event at the national championships. Isenbarger has set four of the top five indoor high jump marks in program history, including a record of six-feet that earned her a spot in the national championships. 

Most recently, Isenbarger earned a bronze medal at the 2022 Conference USA Indoor Championships and placed third Team All C-USA. Isenbarger is the first NCAA Championship competitor under Director of Cross Country/Track and Field Brent Chumbly, both indoor and outdoor seasons. 

Isenbarger will compete on March 12 at the Birmingham Crossplex at 12:30 p.m. 

Sports Reporter Izzy Lanuza can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @izzylanuza.