Missouri
Iowa State Classic
Bales Hits Third NCAA Provisional Qualifying Mark At ISU Classic
2/14/2004 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field
Feb. 14, 2004
AMES, Iowa - The University of Missouri track and field squad competed Saturday in the final day of the Iowa State Classic in Ames, Iowa. Over 40 Division I schools were in attendance to race on the oversized, eight-lane, 300-meter track, and many events saw over 80 entries per. Amanda Bales earned an NCAA provisional qualifying mark in the 3000-meter run, and Jesse Sims and Janae Strickland had second place finishes in the men's long jump and women's shot put, respectively.
"I was real happy with us this meet," said Dr. Rick McGuire, head track and field coach. "We had several marks that were personal-bests and some improvements on the NCAA charts. I think this meet was a good step towards the Big 12 and NCAA Championships."
Junior Amanda Bales (Bettendorf, Iowa) ran for an NCAA provisional qualifying mark in the 3000-meter run with a third place finish. Her time of 9:30.38 eclipses the provisional mark by over seven seconds. Bales has also had NCAA provisional qualifying marks in the mile run and as part of the distance medley relay team.
Junior Jill Petersen (O'Fallon, Mo.), also a member of the distance medley relay team, finished fourth in the 3000-meter run with a time of 9:38.65.
In the women's shot put, senior Janae Strickland (Houston, Texas) finished in second place with a toss of 52 feet, 3? inches (15.95m). The throw marks the third time the 2003 all-American has eclipsed the NCAA provisional qualifying mark this year. Junior Lindsey Markworth (Lexington, Mo.) set a personal-best with a throw of 47-7? (14.52m).
Junior Jesse Sims (Paola, Kan.) tied for second place with a season best high jump of 6-11? (2.12m). Also an all-American in 2003, Sims' mark would rank him in the top five in the Big 12 Conference.
Several Tigers set personal bests in Ames. Freshman Tipper O'Brien (Kirkwood, Mo.) set personal bests in both the 800-meter run and the mile run. Also freshman, Jimmie Jones (Detroit, Mich.) and Marcus Mayes (Sand Springs, Okla.) set personal bests in the 800-meter. Sophomore Matt Noonan (Baldwin City, Kan.) set a personal best in the 3000-meter run with a time of 8:29.99.
Junior transfer Conrad Woolsey (Excelsior Springs, Mo.) claimed fourth place in the men's shot put (58-10?, 17.95m).
Recapping Friday, the women's distance medley relay team of Jill Petersen, Jessica Stockard, Ashley Patten, and Amanda Bales took first place and provisional qualified for the NCAA Indoor Championships with a time of 11:18.24. The team is the second-fastest in Missouri history and currently leads on the Big 12 Conference performance list. The fastest time in Missouri history belongs to the 2001 NCAA Champion relay team of Kerry Hills, Ashley Wysong, Sunny Gilbert, and Ann Marie Brooks.
Also on Friday, pole vaulter Jennifer Bennett took first place in her event after coming off a month-long injury stint.
The Tigers next will host the Missouri All-Comers, next Saturday, February 21. The meet is open to all participants at all ages. Entry fees are $10 per person for unlimited entries. For more information on next weekend's meet and for more coverage of the Missouri track and field team, visit mutigers.com.
Players Mentioned
