March 12, 2004
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Three from the University of Missouri track and field team competed Friday in the first day of the NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Indoor Track and Field Championship in front of a crowd of 5,074 in the Randal Tyson Track Center in Fayetteville, Ark. Junior transfer Conrad Woolsey earned his fifth all-American honor of his career with an eighth place finish in the men's shot put, and sophomore Ashley Patten qualified for Saturday's women's 800-meter final, guaranteeing all-American status.
"I'm proud of our kids," said Dr. Rick McGuire, head track and field coach. "With two all-Americans and two national scorers competing for the first time at the NCAA Division I level in both a challenging and unusual environment, both of our kids did great.
Finishing in eighth place in the men's shot put with a toss of 61 feet, 10? inches (18.86m), Woolsey (Excelsior Springs, Mo.) earned his fifth career all-American honor and his first as a Tiger. Woolsey earned four such honors in his two-years at Northwest Missouri State, a member of NCAA Division II. With Woolsey's finish, he earned one-point for Missouri, the Tigers have now scored in six of the last seven NCAA indoor meets.
"I thought it was impressive how Conrad came into this type of meet and carried himself," said Brett Halter, assistant coach. "To overcome several injuries throughout his career, just getting here is a feat in itself. He did what he did thanks to smart, patient training and his great competitiveness."
Woolsey qualified for the finals on his last throw in the preliminary round with a toss of 61-7 (18.77m). On his fourth throw of the competition, Woolsey had his meet best, 61-10?. Woolsey entered the event as the 12th-highest seeded competitor. Ohio State's Dan Taylor took the title in his sophomore year, beating out two-time defending indoor champ, Nebraska's Carl Myerscough.
Patten (Clarkston, Mich.) qualified for Saturday's 800-meter final with a time of 2:07.12, the eighth-best time in the preliminary round. With a top eight finish in the works by finishing tomorrow's race, Patten will earn all-American status and will score at least a point for Tigers.
Senior Jennifer Bennett (Ashland, Mo.) took 12th place in the women's pole vault, leaping to a height of 12 feet, 11? inches (3.95m). Bennett cleared the height on her first attempt. At the 13-3? mark (4.05m), Bennett missed one attempt, then passed on her second, and again missed on her final attempt at the height. Bennett had to pass her remaining attempts due to back strain.
The Tigers now lay claim to having at least one man or women all-American in the indoor season for the 21st consecutive year.
For more information and complete results, visit ncaasports.com and mutigers.com.