Missouri
Missouri Relays
Tigers Wrap Up Day One of Missouri Relays
3/26/2010 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field
March 26, 2010
COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Mizzou track and field program completed day one of the 11th annual Missouri Relays on Friday (March 26) at the Audrey J. Walton Track & Field Complex and saw its throwers dominate the competition. The Tiger women - both former and current athletes - occupied the top eight spots in the event while the Tiger men took six of the first seven spots in the event.
Junior Chris Holly (Topeka, Kan.) was the top collegiate finisher in the hammer as he threw 59.73m (195-11), a personal-best in the event. Former Tiger All-American and current volunteer assistant coach Chris Rohr won the event with a meet and stadium record throw of 70.70m (231-11). Tim Opfer (Higginsville, Mo.), Jacob Bullinger (Jackson, Mo.) and Brooks Mosier (Lee's Summit, Mo.) all finished in the top seven for the Tiger men as all three student-athletes posted personal-best marks in the event.
Megan Collins (Lee's Summit, Mo.) was the top collegiate finisher on the women's side with a hammer throw of 52.12m (171-0) while former Tigers Krishna Lee and Elisha Hunt took the first two spots. Melissa Coil (Clark, Mo.), Laura Greenfield (Liberty, Mo.), Cortni Ervin (Marshall, Mo.) all set personal-bests in the event as well. Freshman Katie Evans (Powersville, Mo.) placed seventh in her first collegiate outdoor competition with a toss of 43.41m (142-5).
Javelin thrower Asa Wyatt (Poplar Bluff, Mo.) also had a nice performance for the Tiger throwers as he finished second in the event with a throw of 56.39m (185-0). Freshman Bethany Pfeiffer (Boonville, Mo) also took second overall in the women's javelin throw with a toss of 34.27m (112-5) while competing unattached in her first collegiate track meet. She also took eighth in the hammer throw.
Mizzou also saw plenty of success on the short track as Lana Mims (Tulsa, Okla.) and Sierra Gant (Wichita, Kan.) both qualified for tomorrow's 100m dash finals with times of 11.98 and 12.52, respectively, placing second and fifth overall. Mims continued her fine day of competition as she took first overall in the women's long jump at 5.74m (18-10). Shawnte Middlebrook (Lee's Summit, Mo.) took fourth in the event at 5.45m (17-10 ¾). The Tiger women continued to perform well in the sprint events as Leslie Farmer (Jefferson City, Mo.) and Gant placed fifth and sixth overall at 25.68 and 25.69, respectively. Ryan Blackwell (Fenton, Mo.) was the men's top finisher in the 200m dash at 21.94, placing fifth. Clifton Leake (Dallas, Texas) turned in a seventh-place finish in the event after clocking in at 22.17. The men also saw freshman Austin Luecke (Columbia, Mo.) advance to tomorrow's 110m hurdle finals after clocking the seventh-best preliminary mark at 15.51 in his first collegiate outdoor race.
Stacey Swineburg (Camdenton, Mo.) also claimed an event title for the Tigers on Friday, doing so in the women's high jump after clearing 1.62m (5-3 ¾). Teammate Meaghan Brougher (Dallas, Texas) placed fifth in the event with a leap of 1.57m (5-1 ¾). Sophomore Ben Licklider (Jefferson City, Mo.) also had a fine day for the Tigers, earning a third-place nod in the pole vault after clearing 4.45m (14-7 ¼).
In the distance events, Megan Kowalik (Florissant, Mo.) started the day by placing second overall in the women's steeplechase with a time of 11:41.23. Jessica Armstrong (Dorr, Mich.) also placed fourth in the women's 5,000m run after clocking in at 18:05.07 to round out the Tiger women's day in the distance events.
The men also had a strong presence in the 5,000m run as Tyler Compton (Buffalo, Mo.) ran a time of 14:59.02 while competing unattached in the race. Hayden Legg (Mexico, Mo.) also competed unattached in the race and turned in a time of 15:10.88 to place 11th.
Lauren Begany (Fenton, Mo.) and Kelcy Vanarsdall (Bucker, Mo.) also competed in the women's heptathlon, posting first-day point totals of 2,626 and 2,164, respectively.
The Tigers will return to the Audrey J. Walton Track & Field Complex tomorrow for the second day of the Missouri Relays, scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. For all the latest on Mizzou track and field, stay tuned to MUTigers.com.
Players Mentioned
