University of Missouri
USATrack&FieldNationalChampionships
Stockard Finishes Fourth At Junior National Heptathlon
6/20/2003 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field
June 20, 2003
PALO ALTO, Calif. - Missouri Track and Field freshman Jessica Stockard (Godfrey, Ill.) finished fourth today in the USA Track and Field junior national heptathlon. Stockard can now hold the claim of being one of the best female track athletes under the age of 19.
Stockard was in first place after day one of the competition after jumping for a personal best in the high jump (5 feet, 8 inches). Yet her start today was slow. Her ninth place showing in the long jump was followed by a low-scoring javelin toss of 75 feet, 10 inches (347 points).
"Jessica had to jump and throw into a hard wind," said Rick McGuire, head track and field coach at Missouri. "Despite being down, she came back strong."
Stockard rebounded with her career-best time in the final event, the 800 meters. Her time of 2 minutes, 18.39 seconds earned her 839 points and moved her from fifth to fourth. Her performance in both the 800 meters and the high jump yesterday was good for two personal bests.
"To go do that at a national meet is just awesome," McGuire said. "Jessica had a terrific freshman year. Certainly, one of the best young heptathlete's I've seen in my time here. I'm really looking forward to the future."
McGuire's coaching experience is now at 20 years and he acknowledges that Stockard is now one of the best in the country. "She's shown that she can compete at this level. She's happy when she succeeds and knows there is always room for improvement."
Fellow heptathlete and teammate, senior Fiona Asigbee (Walford, Iowa) will compete in the final day of the senior national heptathlon later this evening. At 8:30 p.m., junior Janae Strickland (Houston, Texas) will compete in the senior national shot put. Also highlighting tonight's action will be the semifinals of the men's senior national 800 meter run featuring senior Timothy Dunne (Jerome, Idaho) and Tiger track assistant Derrick Peterson.
For complete coverage, visit Missouri's official website, www.mutigers.com.
