Editor's Note: Recent NCAA legislation has granted additional eligibility to senior spring sport student-athletes who have been impacted by COVID-19. Despite revenue shortfalls within the department, we will continue to provide Cougar student-athletes with the tools necessary to succeed including academic resources, nutrition, medical support, travel and equipment. The Cougar Athletic Fund has launched this new campaign to help support these "Super Seniors" and provide them with the resources to continue their dreams of competing and attending school at Washington State University.

We invite you to join our Super Senior CougsGive campaign, April 14, 2021, when we will be fundraising for these additional scholarships. We are featuring our "Super Senior" student-athletes who have returned this spring to continue their education and finish out their careers as a Coug. The following story highlights track and field student-athlete Emmanuel "RayRay" Wells. 

For more information about how you can be a part of the Super Senior CougsGive campaign click HERE


Inside the Albuquerque Convention Center, Emmanuel "RayRay" Wells Jr., just completed preparations for race day at the 2020 NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships. 

It was March 12, and the championships were set to begin the following day. Coming off a win in the 60m dash at the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championships two weeks earlier, Wells made the trip from Pullman to Albuquerque in pursuit of a national title.

"I had just got done with my block starts and I'm feeling good," Wells remembered.

Suddenly, he, and all those inside the arena, learned the news.

"An announcement comes out that the event was cancelled," Wells said. "I don't think I've been in a room like that where a black cloud just came over. There were people in tears. I was devastated."

Due to the COVID pandemic, the NCAA announced the winter and spring championships were cancelled, including, on the eve the meet was set to begin, the indoor track and field championships.

The following day, Wells tweeted to his account: "I love Washington State University. I'll forever be a Coug, one of the best decisions I made was coming here!"

When he posted the tweet, Wells said he was, "preparing for the future," because at the time, there was no word about whether Wells and all spring sports athletes were to receive their eligibility back. 

"I put that tweet out to let my younger self know that two years ago, when you were still in junior college and you made the commitment and now look at where you are at to even be in this position," Wells explained. "I put that tweet out with raw emotions knowing if I don't get my eligibility back that this was the best two years I've spent.

"And then I got my eligibility back and I still feel the same way," Wells added.

When the NCAA granted spring student-athletes an extra year of eligibility, Wells said the decision to return to WSU for the outdoor season was a "no-brainer."

"I got some unfinished business here," said Wells, who will be competing in the 100-meter, 200-meter and relays this spring. "I got more things to do."

Wells has been occupied by more than just his performance on the track during his collegiate career. He is also has been in pursuit of excelling in the classroom.

When Wells transferred from Central Arizona Junior College to WSU, he brought with him two degrees in business and communications.

"My first two years I took so many courses because I was under scholarship," Wells said. "The classes were covered by the school so who am I to decline? I took as many classes as I could."

Though COVID ended his track season it did not end Wells' studies, as he continued to take advantage of his scholarship, earning a degree in humanities in May 2020. And he is using this extra year in the post-baccalaureate program studying psychology.

"College is all about time management," Wells said. "That is life, in general, but college sports is how you manage your time."

Wells has also invested his time jumping hurdles, and videos he has posted to his twitter account of his feats has garnered national attention, including from ESPN SportsCenter.

At first, Wells jumped 48 inches. Then he jumped 55 inches, which increased to 61 inches, and then an astounding six feet (72 inches) in February.

"I didn't have 72 inches in mind until one day I wanted to see if I could clear 6-foot and I did it," said Wells. 

"At this point it's become a new hobby," Wells added. "It's very cool to see SportsCenter message me asking me to have consent to use my footage."

The producers at SportsCenter weren't the only ones who were intrigued by the videos. He also received a message from people at the television show American Ninja Warrior.

"I received a message from one of the executive producers," Wells explained. "They said 'We really want you on the show, are you interested?'"

"I was like, 'Of course, this is American Ninja Warrior,'" Wells said. "I'm really excited."

And while Wells waits to hear the specific date when he will be on the show, he is focused on the immediate future of the upcoming outdoor season, representing Washington State University, and finishing the task he set out to accomplish inside the Albuquerque Convention Center.

"I know I have unfinished business to bring a national championship back to Pullman," said Wells. "For me to be a part of the Cougar family, I can't be happier to have this experience. I love this school always and forever and will be a Coug for life."