University of Missouri
Tyson Invitational
Cunningham and Ward Set Top-10 Program Marks for @MIZ_TrackField
2/9/2018 9:42:00 PM | Track & Field
Cunningham sets facility and meet record in 5000m run at Music City Challenge, Ward posts fifth-best long jump program mark at Tyson Invitational
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Track & Field opened competition at two separate meets on Friday, as the Tigers were in action at the Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark., and at the Music City Challenge in Nashville, Tenn. Mizzou had one top-10 program mark set at each meet, as redshirt senior Megan Cunningham (Eureka, Mo.) ran the second-fastest program time in the 5000m run in Nashville, while redshirt freshman Ja'Mari Ward (Cahokia, Ill.) posted the fifth-best long jump mark in Fayetteville.
NOTABLE FINISHES
Cunningham continued her impressive start to the indoor season by posting her second program top-10 mark of the season. The Tiger senior won the 5000m run at the Music City Challenge with a time of 15:53.20, finishing more than 23 seconds ahead of the runner-up while setting a new facility and meet record. The time ranks second all-time in Mizzou history, and currently stands as the 12th-best time ran in the NCAA this season.
Over in Fayetteville, Ward recorded the first legal mark in the long jump of his indoor collegiate career, finishing fifth in the invitational flight with a mark of 7.71m (25-3.5). The mark ranks fifth all-time in Mizzou history, and is the 18th-best jump in the NCAA this season.
Mizzou finished first and second in the women's 800m run at the Tyson Invitational, as redshirt senior Valeska Halamicek (Weldon Spring, Mo.) crossed first at 2:10.72, while sophomore Karina Liz (Aurora, Ill.) finished second with a personal-best time of 2:10.80.
QUOTABLES
Mizzou Head Coach Brett Halter
"Great start to the weekend," said Halter from Fayetteville. "I thought everyone engaged and competed hard in their respective events, which led to big throws, long jumps and fast races. The team is trusting the process and showing the willingness to move out of their comfort zone while competing, a terrific indication that championship season is around the corner."
UP NEXT
Mizzou continues with action at both the Tyson Invitational and Music City Challenge on Saturday. The first Mizzou entry in Nashville will be the women's mile run at 10 a.m. (CT), while the men's high jump and women's triple jump start the day for the Tigers in Fayetteville at 10 a.m. (CT).
For all the latest on Mizzou Track & Field, stay tuned to MUTigers.com and follow the team on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (MIZ_TrackField).
TYSON INVITATIONAL RESULTS
RESULTS – FRIDAY FIELD EVENTS
Long Jump, Women: 10. Arielle Mack, 5.60m (18-4.5)
Weight Throw, Women: 5. CeCe Johnson, 17.82m (58-5.75) // 6. Becky Keating, 17.75m (58-3) // 10. Emily Stauffer, 16.70m (54-9.5) PR
Long Jump, Men (Invitational): 5. Ja'Mari Ward, 7.71m (25-3.5) PR, #5
Weight Throw, Men: 4. Patrick Kunza, 18.93m (62-1.25) // 6. Avery Carter, 18.66m (61-2.75)
RESULTS – FRIDAY TRACK EVENTS
Mile Run, Women: 7. Kayla Funkenbusch, 5:13.68 PR // 9. Shannon Browning, 5:15.26 PR // 10. Susan Forbis, 5:18.96 PR
400m Dash, Men: 16. Jerrad Mason, 47.90
400m Dash, Women: 40. Maya Puller, 1:02.76
60m Dash, Women (prelims): 19. Maya Cody, 7.54 // 34. Tsai-Anne Joseph, 7.66 PR // 45. Jazmyn Shumaker, 7.91
800m Run, Women: 1. Valeska Halamicek, 2:10.72 // 2. Karina Liz, 2:10.80 PR // 9. Faramola Shonekan, 2:17.42 PR
Mile Run, Men: 6. Taylor Stephen, 4:16.91 // 14. Justin Loquercio, 4:30.48
MUSIC CITY CHALLENGE RESULTS
RESULTS – FRIDAY TRACK EVENTS
5000m Run, Women: 1. Megan Cunningham, 15:53.20 PR, FR, #2
5000m Run, Men: 13. Michael Widmann, 14:57.03 PR
Players Mentioned
