WICHITA, Kan. – On the heels of another remarkable performance, Friends University junior Tiyna Ridge has been named the KCAC Women's Outdoor Track Athlete of the Week, the conference office announced today (Apr. 14). All KCAC Player of the Week awards are sponsored by Athletic Solutions. This is the second straight KCAC weekly honor for Ridge, as the Edmond, Okla. native hit the NAIA A standard with a school and KCAC record in her first collegiate Women's 200 Meter race (23.75) at last week's home invitational.

Ridge made more history with her NAIA A Standard time in the 100 meter run on Saturday (Apr. 11) at the Arkansas Spring Invitational.

As the only NAIA runner, Ridge bested 47 other athletes, including multiple NCAA D-I, D-II and JUCO competitors and was clipped only by 2024 Paris Olympian Gladymar Torres Crespo in a photo finish (.002).

Ridge's time of 11.26 is a new school and KCAC record and not only ranks second in the NAIA this season but is also the second best time in NAIA history.

"When you have now been "out leaned" by two global championship competitors to beat you, I guess you can say that you are turning some heads," said Friends track & field head coach Henry Brun. "Tiyna has just risen to the occasion time and time again. After the growth of the indoor season, we knew that we would need to challenge her going into outdoors by putting her in environments that would test her limits. Arkansas was that first test, and I'd say that she passed with flying colors. She has been working on some small technical switches in training and it is starting to connect in competition, which is making her start more effective. We know the NAIA showdown in the national final is the goal we are preparing for, and Tiyna will be ready when the moment comes."

Ridge and the Falcon track & field teams will next compete at the ESU Relays on Apr. 16-18 in Emporia, Kan. and the Coyote Challenge on Apr. 17 in Salina, Kan.