Des Moines, Iowa ? Kansas University’s Nickesha Anderson placed third in the 200 and Crystal Manning seventh in the triple jump, helping the Jayhawks tie for a 15th-place finish at the NCAA Outdoor track and field championships.

It marked the KU women’s best finish in school history. The previous best was a tie for 24th in 1999.

Anderson, a junior, finished in 22.91, while Manning, a senior, had a mark of 43-11.

“Nickesha made a huge difference for us this year,” KU track coach Stanley Redwine said. “She brought a lot of leadership and had a great year and made everyone else believe that they could do it, too.”

Junior Stephanie Horton placed eighth in 52-103â4. She became KU’s first All-American in the event since Denise Buchanan in 1987.

KU’s men finished 38th at nationals.

“We have had good leadership from top to bottom this year,” Redwine said. “All of the coaches did a great job with all of our athletes.”