June 12, 2003
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The University of Missouri track and field team is achieving early success after a day-and-a-half in the NCAA Championships being held in Sacramento, Calif. Today senior Timothy Dunne (Jerome, Idaho) was named as an All-American in the 800-meter run, and several Tigers advanced into their final rounds to be held Friday or Saturday.
Dunne was named as an All-American after his tenth place showing in the semifinal of the 800-meter run. He failed to advance to the final, yet his time of 1:48.18 was good for his second-best career time. His career best came yesterday, with a time of 1:47.39. Dunne qualified for today's semifinals and for the US Track & Field Championships to be held next week.
"It's so great to see Tim end his time here at Mizzou with his two best runs of his career," said Jared Wilmes, assistant track and field coach and head cross country coach. "It's been an honor to work with Tim these five years, he's truly been a great person to see develop and grow throughout his time here."
Tiger senior Christian Cantwell (Eldon, Mo.) is preparing for tomorrow's finals in the shot put event. Last night, Cantwell threw for 68 feet, 2.5 inches in his first attempt of the qualifier, advancing him to the finals. The qualifying round was held in adverse conditions as the hot California sun suddenly turned to a cold and windy evening.
"Christian had to get used to weather and prepare quickly despite the conditions," said assistant track and field coach Brett Halter. "But, he was zoned in and knew what he had to do."
Cantwell's attempt at the NCAA Championship will start at 8:30 p.m. (CST) Friday night. He will go against two other worthy opponents in Nebraska's Carl Myerscough, NCAA Indoor Champion, and Ohio State's Dan Taylor.
In the jumping category, Mizzou athletes went 3-of-3 today when Jesse Sims, Jenny Bybee, and Jennifer Bennett all qualified for the finals in their respective events. Junior Jennifer Bennett (Ashland, Mo.) will advance into the finals for the pole vault as she vaulted a round high 13 feet, 1.5 inches, sophomore Jenny Bybee (Springfield, Mo.) qualified with a round best high jump of 5 feet, 10.25 inches, and Jesse Sims (Paola, Kan.), another sophomore, qualified in the male high jump competition with a jump of 7 feet, .25 inches.
As of late Thursday night, results were still pending in the men's decathlon and Janae Strickland's (Houston, Texas) qualifying attempt in the women's shot put. For complete coverage and an updated schedule of events, check back in with www.mutigers.com.