May 13, 2011

Norman, Okla. -- The University of Missouri men's and women's track and field teams competed in the first day of competition at the Big 12 Outdoor Championships at John Jacobs Track Complex in Norman, Okla. Senior Lars Rise (Trondheim, Norway) led the Tigers by finishing first after five events in the decathlon with 4,038 points. Rise sits 42 points in front of second-place competitor, Bjorn Barrefors of Nebraska.

Rise started the day by running an 11.26 in the 100-meter dash for 804 points. Rise then jumped to a massive personal record in the long jump with a jump of 7.34m (24-01) for 896 points and putting him in the lead of the event after two events. Next, Rise won the shot put with a throw of 15.04m (49-04 ¼) for 792 points, expanding his lead to 83 points over second place. Rise took third in the high jump, jumping 1.96m (6-5) for 767 points. Rise completed the day with a 50.77 in the 400m dash.

Also leading the men today were senior Chris Holly (Topeka, Kan.) and sophomore Jacob Bullinger (Jackson, Mo.) earning All-Conference honors in the hammer throw. Holly threw 60.07m (197-01) while Bullinger threw a personal record of 59.04m (193-08). Also for the Tigers, junior Tim Opfer (Higginsville, Mo.) finished 11th with a big personal record throw of 54.38m (178-05) and freshman Alex McDonald (Wentzville, Mo.) finished 16th with a personal record throw of 50.19m (164-08).

Also competing for the men was sophomore Tyler Compton (Buffalo, Mo.) in the 10,000m run, finishing 15th with a personal record of 31:22.12. Junior Asa Wyatt (Poplar Bluff, Mo.) finished ninth in the javelin throw with a season best throw of 59.59m (195-06).

Leading the day for the women was the All-Conference performances of junior Melissa Coil (Clark, Mo.) and sophomore Laura Greenfield (Liberty, Mo.) in the hammer throw. Coil placed fifth with a huge personal record of 56.81m (186-05) while Greenfield also had a significant personal record, finishing eighth with a throw of 53.75m (176-04). Also competing for the Tigers in the hammer were sophomores Megan Collins (Lee's Summit, Mo.), Cortni Ervin (Marshall, Mo.) and freshman Bethany Pfieffer (Booneville, Mo.), finishing ninth and 14th, respectively with throws of 53.18m (174-06), 51.26m (168-03) and 48.83m (160-02).

Through four events in the heptathlon, sophomore Kelcy Vanarsdall (Buckner, Mo.) sits in 13th with 2,680 points. Vanarsdall took second in the shot put with a throw of 12.11m (39-08.75) good for 668 points. Vanarsdall ran a 15.71 in the 100 hurdles for 750 points and a new personal record of 26.18 in the 200m dash for 781 points. Vanarsdall also jumped 1.37m (4-06) for 481points in the high jump.

Also competing for the Tigers in the women's javelin throw were freshmen Hailey Twietmeyer (Cheney, Kan.), Pfieffer and Sandra Hampton (Lee's Summit, Mo.), who finished in eighth, ninth and 10th, respectively with throws of 43.20m (141-09), 38.00m (124-08) and 37.47m (122-11). Senior Kinsey Farren (Dallas, Texas) competed for the women in the 10,000m run placing 16th with a 36:43.41.

After three completed events the men sit in sixth place with nine points. Oklahoma leads the meet with 29 points. The women are tied for seventh with five points, Nebraska leads with 29 points.

The Tigers return to action tomorrow with the combined events starting at 10 a.m., the field events beginning at 1 p.m. and the track events getting underway at 2 p.m. Be sure to follow the live blog at www.mutigers.com and follow @MIZ_TrackField for the latest updates.