Jan. 15, 2003

The University of Missouri track & field team opens up their season this Friday at the Hearnes Center Fieldhouse when they host the Missouri Invitational. The Tigers return 23 All-Big 12 performers from last year's squad. Two All-Americans also return for the Tigers on Friday in throwers Russ Bell and Christian Cantwell. In addition to being an All-American and an All-Big 12 performer, Cantwell was named USTCA Midwest Male Athlete of the Year. Cantwell's shot put throw of 70 feet, 4.5 inches was the seventh farthest shot put in the world last year. Other Tigers scheduled to compete include pentathlete Fiona Asigbee, distance runners Timothy Dunne and Amanda Bales, thrower Janae Strickland, pole vaulters Lyndsey Tait, and Jennifer Bennett, and many other Tigers. Missouri will face Kansas, Wichita State, Southwest Missouri State, Oral Roberts, UMKC, and Drake. The meet starts at 4:00 p.m with the field events and the track events begin at 6:00 p.m