May 24, 2006
NASHVILLE--The University of Missouri track and field squad has arrived in Nashville, Tenn., on the way to Knoxville for the NCAA Mideast Regional Championships. Twenty-four Tigers have qualified and will compete in the regional meet on Friday and Saturday in attempts to qualify for the NCAA Championships to be held in two weeks. Missouri, hosts of the 2007 Mideast regional, is coming off an impressive showing at the Big 12 Championships in which the men's team finished third.
Qualifying for Next Step
The ultimate goal during competition at one of the four NCAA Regionals is to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Championships to be held in two weeks in Sacramento, Calif. To qualify for the next step, one must finish in the top five in the regional final to earn an automatic spot. The NCAA then fills the rest of the field with five to seven at-large bids in each event. To be considered as an at-large candidate, one must finish in the top 12 of competition, as athletes that finish from the sixth to the 12th positions in each of the four regions will be put on a descending-order list based on their best marks from season, and the NCAA committee fills the remainder of the NCAA-Championship field from the top of that list.
Plenty of Tigers on the Cusp, Ranked in the Region's Top Five
The junior Marcus Mayes enters the regional as the No. 1 seed in the men's 800-meter run after running a 1:47.99 at the Big 12 meet two weeks ago. Senior Neville Miller is the third seed in the same event with a 1:48.13 season-best. Both Tigers rank in the top 10 in the nation in the event.
Sophomore Jason Morris ranks No. 1 in the region in the men's hammer throw with his school-record performance of 218-11 (66.73m).
In the men's shot put, sophomore Nate Englin enters as the No. 2 seed with a personal best from earlier the season of 62 feet, ¼ inch (18.90m). Englin is one of five male Tigers qualified for the event and, for the second year in a row, leads the nation in that category.
Junior Bobby Musil is the fourth seed in the men's discus with a personal and season best of 184-11 (56.36m).
Big 12 Champion, senior Amanda Bales, is the fourth seed in the women's 1500-meter run after her season-best clocking of 4:21.21 at the conference meet.
Regionals By the Numbers
I like bullet points. So here's a quick run down of how Missouri fits into the regional picture in throws and middle-distance:
- Nine Missouri male throwers gained 13 NCAA-regional qualifying marks this season, most in the nation in the throws group by far (Cal 10, Colo. St. 9, UCLA 8, Arizona 8, Iowa 8)
- Missouri has 17 total (male and female) NCAA-regional qualifying marks, second-best in the nation (Cal 18)
- Missouri has qualified five male shot putters to regional competition, most in the nation (Arizona, Colorado State, Iowa, 4)
- Missouri has qualified four male hammer throwers to regional competition, tied for most in the nation (So. Illinois, Idaho, Manhattan, 4)
- Missouri also has eight regional qualifying marks from male underclassmen (freshman and sophomore) throwers, most in the nation (Texas A&M 7)
- Missouri's Jason Morris is the only undergraduate (sophomore) American in the NCAA top-20 hammer throw ... Morris is also ranked as the third-best American in the NCAA in the event and in the top 10 overall
- Sophomore Nate Englin is in the national top 20 with the shot put
- Sophomore Chris Rohr is in the national top 25 with the hammer, as well as junior Bobby Musil ... sophomore Tyler Dailey ranks 26th ... Missouri has three male hammer throwers in the national top 25, four in the top 30
- Missouri has three underclassman male throwing marks that rank in the national top 25, tied for most in the nation (UCLA 3)
- Missouri has four overall male throwing marks that rank in the national top 25, tied for fourth in the nation (UCLA, Boise State, No. Carolina, 5; Arizona, Kansas 4)
- Missouri men qualified five in the 800 and 1500 meter events, tied for third best in the nation (BYU 9, Colorado 7) ... best in Mideast region
- Tigers Marcus Mayes and Neville Miller rank in the NCAA top 10 at 800 meters
Twice as Nice
Three Tiger throwers qualified and will compete in two events. Morris has qualified in both the discus and hammer throw events, as has Musil. Indoor weight throw All-American Chris Rohr is a regional qualifier in both the shot put and hammer throw events.
Tigers Host 2007 Regional
The NCAA Division I Track & Field committee announced in late-April that the University of Missouri has been selected to host the 2007 NCAA Mideast Regional Championships to be held at Audrey J. Walton Track Stadium in Columbia on May 25-26, 2007. The 2007 season will mark the fifth year of the NCAA-regional system and Missouri will be hosting the meet for the first time.
"I felt thrilled and honored that the NCAA awarded this regional to us," said Head Coach Dr. Rick McGuire. "We're really proud of the Audrey J. Walton Track facility, and we love to host championship meets. Coaches and teams love to come to Columbia. We provide them a great environment. There are only four of these in a year, and we're very pleased to be hosting an NCAA Regional Championship."
The Mideast region is one of four track and field NCAA regions and is made from the Division I universities in the states of Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Missouri is the only school in the Big 12 Conference that competes in the Mideast Region. The Mideast Region houses many of the schools from the ultra-competitive SEC and Big Ten Conferences.
An estimated 1,500 athletes will qualify and participate in the meet in hopes of gaining entry into the NCAA Outdoor Championships, scheduled to be held in Sacramento, Calif., in 2007.
"This will be a great event for the City of Columbia," said Don Laird, President of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce. "Not only will the teams and athletes be able to see and enjoy our town, but our local businesses will be able to benefit as well."
The NCAA committee also announced the sites of the other regional championships for 2007: Midwest - Des Moines, Iowa, Drake Univ.; West - Eugene, Ore., Univ. of Oregon; East - Gainsville, Fla., Univ. of Florida.
Missouri will host the NCAA Track & Field regional for the first time in school history. Audrey J. Walton Stadium was the site of the 1998, 2000, and 2002 Big 12 Track & Field Championships as well as NCAA First and Second Round women's soccer matches in 1999 and 2003.
Tiger-by-Tiger Info
NOTE: Regional rankings reflect seed entering meet of athletes declared for competition, NCAA rankings are based on the full-qualifying list ... USATF rankings combine the best American marks of both collegiate and post-collegiate athletes.
Amanda Bales (SR)
Event: 1500m Run
Rankings: Regional (4), NCAA (21), USATF (26)
Season Best: 4:21.21 , Big 12
Personal Best: 4:18.79 , Big 12 '05
Rank at Mizzou All-Time: 2nd (SR: 4:18.66)
Championship Finishes:
2006
Big 12 Outdoor 1st, 4:21.21
NCAA Indoor dnq
Big 12 Indoor (Mile) 3rd, 4:49.55
2005
Regional 2nd, 4:21.12
NCAA Outdoor 13th, 4:18.94
Three-time Big 12 Champion, NCAA Qual at 5000m in '04
Dave Borchardt (SO)
Event: Discus
Rankings: Regional (20), NCAA (74)
Season Best: 53.10m 174-2, Mo Relays
Personal Best: same
Rank at Mizzou All-Time: --
Championship Finishes:
2006
Big 12 Outdoor 14th, 50.32m, 165-1
NCAA Indoor --
Big 12 Indoor --
2005
Regional dnq
NCAA Outdoor dnq
Greg Bracey (JR)
Event: 100m Dash
Rankings: Regional (24), NCAA (71)
Season Best: 10.48q , Big 12
Personal Best: same
Rank at Mizzou All-Time: --
Championship Finishes:
2006
Big 12 Outdoor 5th, 10.52
NCAA Indoor dnq
Big 12 Indoor (60m) inj, 18th, 7.37
2005
Regional dnq
NCAA Outdoor dnq
also Missouri football WR
Adam Burla (SR)
Event: Shot Put
Rankings: Regional (23), NCAA (83)
Season Best: 16.99m 55-9, Mo Relays
Personal Best: 17.34mI 56-10¾, Meyo (I) '06
Rank at Mizzou All-Time: --
Championship Finishes:
2006
Big 12 Outdoor 12th, 16.44m, 53-11¼
NCAA Indoor dnq
Big 12 Indoor ('05) 11th, 16.83m, 55-2¾
2005
Regional ('04) 17.11m, 56-1¾
NCAA Outdoor dnq
Tyler Dailey (SO)
Event: Hammer Throw
Rankings: Regional (8), NCAA (26)
Season Best: 62.90m 206-4, Botts
Personal Best: same
Rank at Mizzou All-Time: 6th
Championship Finishes:
2006
Big 12 Outdoor 4th, 61.68m, 202-4
NCAA Indoor dnq
Big 12 Indoor (WT) 5th, 20.02m, 65-8¼
2005
Regional 21st, 54.03m, 177-3
NCAA Outdoor dnq
Nate Englin (SO)
Event: Shot Put
Rankings: Regional (2), NCAA (17), USATF (30), IAAF - (75)
Season Best: 18.90m 62-¼, UCLA In.
Personal Best: same
Rank at Mizzou All-Time: 4th (SR: 70-11¼)
Championship Finishes:
2006
Big 12 Outdoor 6th, 18.04m, 59-2¼
NCAA Indoor dnq
Big 12 Indoor 10th, 16.43m, 53-11
2005
Regional 9th, 17.61m, 57-9½
NCAA Outdoor dnq
Kristin Hansen (JR)
Event: 1500m Run
Rankings: Regional (11), NCAA (74)
Season Best: 4:26.25 , Big 12
Personal Best: same
Rank at Mizzou All-Time: --
Championship Finishes:
2006
Big 12 Outdoor 5th, 4:26.25
NCAA Indoor dnq
Big 12 Indoor (Mile) 4th, 4:51.88
2005
Regional 10th, 4:34.93
NCAA Outdoor dnq
Bill Hobson (SR)
Event: Shot Put
Rankings: Regional (11), NCAA (47)
Season Best: 17.68m 58-¼, Mo Relays
Personal Best: 18.47mI 60-7¼, Iowa St Qual (I) '06
Rank at Mizzou All-Time: --
Championship Finishes:
2006
Big 12 Outdoor 10th, 16.92m, 55-6¼
NCAA Indoor dnq
Big 12 Indoor 5th, 18.11m, 59-5
2005
Regional 16th, 17.08m, 56-½
NCAA Outdoor dnq
Chris Horn (SR)
Event: LJ
Rankings: Regional (19), NCAA (62)
Season Best: 7.46m 24-5¾, Big 12
Personal Best: same
Rank at Mizzou All-Time: --
Championship Finishes:
2006
Big 12 Outdoor 8th, 7.46m, 24-5¾
NCAA Indoor dnq
Big 12 Indoor 17th, 6.57m, 21-6¾
2005
Regional 29th, 6.26m, 20-6½
NCAA Outdoor dnq
Jimmie Jones (JR)
Event: 800m Run
Rankings: Regional (11), NCAA (47)
Season Best: 1:49.36 , Botts
Personal Best: 1:49.11 , Music City '05
Rank at Mizzou All-Time: --
Championship Finishes:
2006
Big 12 Outdoor 5th, 1:50.47
NCAA Indoor dnq
Big 12 Indoor 10th, 1:56.21
2005
Regional dnq
NCAA Outdoor dnq
Kasey Kimball (SO)
Event: 1500m
Rankings: Regional (16), NCAA (101)
Season Best: 4:27.51 , Big 12
Personal Best: same
Rank at Mizzou All-Time: --
Championship Finishes:
2006
Big 12 Outdoor 6th, 4:27.51
NCAA Indoor dnq
Big 12 Indoor (Mile) 5th, 4:51.90
2005
Regional dnq
NCAA Outdoor dnq
Krishna Lee (FR)
Event: Shot Put
Rankings: Regional (18), NCAA (59)
Season Best: 14.88m 48-10, Big 12
Personal Best: 15.00mI 49-2½, Big 12 Ind. '06
Rank at Mizzou All-Time: 5th
Championship Finishes:
2006
Big 12 Outdoor 5th, 14.88m, 48-10
NCAA Indoor dnq
Big 12 Indoor 4th, 15.00m, 49-2½
2005
Regional n/a
NCAA Outdoor n/a
Marcus Mayes (JR)
Event: 800m Run
Rankings: Regional (1), NCAA (7), USATF (11)
Season Best: 1:47.99 , Big 12
Personal Best: 1:47.78 , Big 12 '05
Rank at Mizzou All-Time: nr (T5: 1:47.40)
Championship Finishes:
2006
Big 12 Outdoor 2nd, 1:47.99
NCAA Indoor 13th, 1:51.97
Big 12 Indoor 3rd, 1:50.04
2005
Regional 12th, 1:51.22
NCAA Outdoor dnq
Neville Miller (SR)
Event: 800m Run
Rankings: Regional (3), NCAA (10), USATF (14)
Season Best: 1:48.13 , Big 12
Personal Best: 1:47.48 , Music City '05
Rank at Mizzou All-Time: --
Championship Finishes:
2006
Big 12 Outdoor 3rd, 1:48.13
NCAA Indoor n/a
Big 12 Indoor n/a
2005
Regional ('04) 17th, 1:50.54
NCAA Outdoor dnq
Jason Morris (SO)
**two-event qualifier**
Event: Discus
Rankings: Regional (17), NCAA (68)
Season Best: 53.55m 175-8, UCLA Invite
Personal Best: same
Rank at Mizzou All-Time: --
Championship Finishes:
2006
Big 12 Outdoor foul
NCAA Indoor --
Big 12 Indoor --
2005
Regional 29th, 46.92m, 153-11
NCAA Outdoor dnq
Event: Hammer Throw
Rankings: Regional (1), NCAA (10), USATF (21), IAAF - ()
Season Best: 66.73m 218-11, DrakeR
Personal Best: same
Rank at Mizzou All-Time: School Record Holder
Championship Finishes:
2006
Big 12 Outdoor 2nd, 65.12m, 213-8
NCAA Indoor dnq
Big 12 Indoor (WT) 13th, 16.60m, 54-5
2005
Regional foul
NCAA Outdoor dnq
Bobby Musil (JR)
**two-event qualifier**
Event: Discus
Rankings: Regional (4), NCAA (36)
Season Best: 56.36m 184-11, Penn St Inv.
Personal Best: same
Rank at Mizzou All-Time: --
Championship Finishes:
2006
Big 12 Outdoor 6th, 54.59m, 179-1
NCAA Indoor --
Big 12 Indoor --
2005
Regional 12th, 51.60m, 169-3
NCAA Outdoor dnq
Event: Hammer Throw
Rankings: Regional (7), NCAA (24), USATF (40)
Season Best: 63.72m 209-1, Big 12
Personal Best: same
Rank at Mizzou All-Time: 5th
Championship Finishes:
2006
Big 12 Outdoor 3rd, 63.72m, 209-1
NCAA Indoor dnq
Big 12 Indoor (WT) 9th, 18.76m, 61-6¾
2005
Regional foul
NCAA Outdoor dnq
Trisa Nickoley (SO)
Event: 800m Run
Rankings: Regional (9), NCAA (27)
Season Best: 2:07.25 , Big 12
Personal Best: same
Rank at Mizzou All-Time: --
Championship Finishes:
2006
Big 12 Outdoor 3rd, 2:07.25
NCAA Indoor dnq
Big 12 Indoor 4th, 2:08.08
2005
Regional 12th, 2:09.15
NCAA Outdoor dnq
Matt Noonan (SR)
Event: 3000m Steeplechase
Rankings: Regional (10), NCAA (27)
Season Best: 8:53.58 , Stanford Invite
Personal Best: same
Rank at Mizzou All-Time: --
Championship Finishes:
2006
Big 12 Outdoor 6th, 8:58.61
NCAA Indoor --
Big 12 Indoor --
2005
Regional 21st, 9:05.68
NCAA Outdoor dnq
Ashley Patten (SR)
Event: 800m Run
Rankings: Regional (6), NCAA (15), USATF (23)
Season Best: 2:06.40 , UCLA In.
Personal Best: 2:04.04 , Big 12 '06
Rank at Mizzou All-Time: 2nd (SR: 2:02.94)
Championship Finishes:
2006
Big 12 Outdoor 2nd, 2:07.00
NCAA Indoor 6th, 2:08.06
Big 12 Indoor (1000m) 1st, 2:45.96
2005
Regional 5th, 2:06.22
NCAA Outdoor 9th, 2:05.74
Four-time Big 12 Champion
Serena Ramsey (SR)
Event: 5000m Run
Rankings: Regional (8), NCAA (35)
Season Best: 16:22.67 , DrakeR
Personal Best: same
Rank at Mizzou All-Time: 5th (SR: 15:42.22)
Championship Finishes:
2006
Big 12 Outdoor 2nd, 17:30.04
NCAA Indoor dnq
Big 12 Indoor 3rd, 16:34.87
2005
Regional --
NCAA Outdoor dnq
Kendra Richardson (FR)
Event: Shot Put
Rankings: Regional (23), NCAA (73)
Season Best: 14.72m 48-3½, Ariz St Inv
Personal Best: same
Rank at Mizzou All-Time: --
Championship Finishes:
2006
Big 12 Outdoor 12th, 13.97m, 45-10
NCAA Indoor dnq
Big 12 Indoor 7th, 14.44m, 47-7½
2005
Regional n/a
NCAA Outdoor n/a
Elizabeth Robe (SO)
Event: Shot Put
Rankings: Regional (10), NCAA (31)
Season Best: 15.44m 50-8, Ariz St Inv
Personal Best: same
Rank at Mizzou All-Time: 2nd (SR: 55-6¼)
Championship Finishes:
2006
Big 12 Outdoor 9th, 14.47m, 47-5¾
NCAA Indoor dnq
Big 12 Indoor 10th, 14.28m, 46-10¼
2005
Regional 20th, 14.42m, 47-3¾
NCAA Outdoor dnq
Chris Rohr (SO)
**two-event qualifier**
Event: Shot Put
Rankings: Regional (8), NCAA (40)
Season Best: 17.83m 58-6, Mo Relays
Personal Best: same
Rank at Mizzou All-Time: --
Championship Finishes:
2006
Big 12 Outdoor 14th, 16.38m, 53-9
NCAA Indoor dnq
Big 12 Indoor 13th, 16.24m, 53-3½
2005
Regional dnq
NCAA Outdoor dnq
Event: Hammer Throw
Rankings: Regional (6), NCAA (23), USATF (39), IAAF - ()
Season Best: 63.76m 209-2, Mo Relays
Personal Best: same
Rank at Mizzou All-Time: 3rd
Championship Finishes:
2006
Big 12 Outdoor 6th, 58.79m, 192-10
NCAA Indoor (WT) 11th, 20.25m, 66-5
Big 12 Indoor 4th, 20.43m, 67-½
2005
Regional dnq
NCAA Outdoor dnq
Jamie Wynn (JR)
Event: Discus
Rankings: Regional (12), NCAA (59)
Season Best: 49.07m 161-0, Big 12
Personal Best: same
Rank at Mizzou All-Time: --
Championship Finishes:
2006
Big 12 Outdoor 8th, 49.07m, 161-0
NCAA Indoor --
Big 12 Indoor --
2005
Regional ('04) 21st, 45.57m, 149-5
NCAA Outdoor n/a