March 7, 2003

The University of Missouri track and field teams head to Ames, Iowa this weekend for the NCAA Qualifier. Fifteen Missouri athletes will attempt to qaulify for the NCAA Indoor Championships next weekend in Fayetville, Arkansas.

Two Tigers, Christian Cantwell in the shot put and Amanda Bales in the mile and 3000 meters, have already qualified for the championships and five other Tigers; Jennifer Bennett in the pole vault, Jesse Sims in the high jump, Jane Strickland in the shot put, Russ Bell in the weight throw, and Timothy Dunne in the 800 meters have all provisionally qualified for the championships as well both of the distance medley relay teams. Cantwell's shot put of 68 feet, 5 inches is the second-farthest throw in the NCAA this year. Missouri head track and field coach Rick McGuire said, "This will be a normal week for all of those trying to qualify . We have really good athletes who know how to do championship level performances."

Those Tigers who qualify will move onto the NCAA Indoor Championships next Friday and Saturday in Fayetville, Arkansas. That will mark the end of the indoor track season.