8 March 2024
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — The NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships begin Friday, and the sole Wichita State University Shocker who will compete on the big stage is Destiny Masters.
The junior clinches school records in the high jump and pentathlon to qualify for the championships.
An all-around talent, Masters is soaring to unimaginable heights of success.
“I was completely shocked that I was so happy about 1.86,” Masters told KSN. “I did not think that was going to be that for the day. And I’m happy I powered through and made it.”
Masters’ six-foot and one-quarter inch high jump earned her gold in the high jump. She also placed in the pentathlon, hurdles and long jump.
“She was most valuable athlete, she earned more points as an individual than any other athlete in the meet,” Wichita State track and field head coach Steve Rainbolt said.
Now, Masters will turn her focus to the national competition.
“I’m very excited to see what I can do with all the top-performing athletes,” Masters said. “I’m very happy that I made it in the high jump, but the pentathlon was the goal. So I am happy that I was able to achieve that.”
Competing in both high jump and pentathlon is a tiring combination, but it’s something Masters experienced at the conference level.
“She felt tired the next day and really and truly just fought and competed hard,” Rainbolt said. “She’s a competitive girl, and she’s a good competitor. You hear about clutch performers. The athlete you want with the ball in their hand at the end of the game for the game-winning shot. And Destiny has shown herself to be an athlete that seems to deliver clutch performances.”
“He has so much confidence in me and it makes me realize I know I can be in the top five if I truly put my heart into it,” Masters said.
Masters is ready to deliver and continue others in the sport.