May 19, 2000 --

COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Big 12's multi-event competitors dominated the headlines on day one at the 2000 Big 12 Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Columbia, Mo. on Friday afternoon. One of those athletes making news was Missouri junior heptathlete MICHELLE MORAN, who's record-breaking 3,418 points has her in the lead after day one of the women's heptathlon. Moran's point total set a new Big 12 record for points in the heptathlon after day one.

Moran set personal bests in the 100 hurdles (13.96 seconds), high jump (5'10.50) and 200 hurdles (25.23 seconds). Her winning height in the high jump also set a Big 12 heptathlon record.

"I don't think I've ever had this feeling before," said Moran. "I am not even tired. I have been getting ready all week. I was more nervous a week ago than I was last night."

Missouri senior JILL AHOLT used a personal best high jump of 5'5.75 inches to vault her into fifth place overall in the heptathlon while freshman ABBE OHNECK will enter the final three events on Saturday in eighth place.

"I thought they (the heptathletes) were going to have a great day and they knew it too," said Missouri coach Rick McGuire. "They were plugged in and wired. They emotionally bonded."

In the men's decathlon, Kansas junior ANDY MORRIS recorded 3,902 points on day one to take the lead after five events. In striking distance for the Tigers is freshman CAMERON ANKELE with 3,692 points. Ankele turned in a time of 11.06 seconds in the 100m dash to take the early lead. His high jump of 6'7.50 inches tied Morris for the top jump of the day and was a personal best.

Junior ESPEN STRINDEBERG is in eighth place for the Tigers after day one in the decathlon.

Mizzou senior HEATHER WHITE through the hammer 176-1, a mark good for fourth place overall. Nebraska junior MELISSA PRICE ran away from the competition with a NCAA automatic cut throw of 201-3.

The Tigers' NICK SMITH was impressive in the men's 10,000 meter race. The junior placed second with a time of 29 minutes, 51.41 seconds, just four seconds behind the winner SCOTT LENGEFELD of Texas A&M (29:47.61). Smith's time is an NCAA provisional cut time.

Sophomore KIM MOORE also earned an NCAA provisional cut time in the women's 10,000 meter run. Moore run the race in a time of 35 minutes, 28.14 seconds and placed fifth in the race. Colorado freshman TERA MOODY, competing in her first 10,000 meter race of her career, one the race in an NCAA provisional time of 34 minutes, 50.43 seconds.

Rounding out the events on day one was the men's hammer throw where the Tigers placed two in the top eight. Freshman RUSS BELL finished in seventh place for Mizzou with a throw of 183-2. Junior MICAH SHANKS placed eighth with a toss of 181-0.

After day one, the Missouri women are in fifth place with nine points through three events. Nebraska is the leader with 26 points. The Mizzou men stand in fourth place with 12 points after two events, while Nebraska owns the top spot with 19.