May 14, 2011

Norman, Okla. -- Competition resumed for the University of Missouri men's and women's track teams during day two of the Big 12 Outdoor Championships at John Jacobs Track Complex in Norman, Okla. After finishing second to former teammate Nick Adcock in 2010, Senior Lars Rise (Trondheim, Norway) captured his first Big 12 championship in the decathlon. Rise scored 7,808 points for the win - moving him into third in the nation in the decathlon.

"It was really great to get the win and I had a lot of fun," Rise said. "I think I could have done better in the pole vault and shot put. I would like to break 8,000 points."

Rise battled with Bjorn Barrefors of Nebraska throughout the past two days, but ultimately came out on top for the win. Rise began his day by running 15.42 in the 110-meter hurdles for 799 points. After competing in the hurdles, Rise set his sights on the discus. Rise won that event with a big personal record, throwing 46.25m (151-09) for 793 points and moving him into the lead by 89 points. Rise then vaulted 4.53m (14-10 ¼) for 769 but fell to second by one point going into the final two events. In the second to last event, Rise threw 59.60m (195-06) in the javelin for 732 points to gain a commanding lead of 286 points. Rise finished out the win with a 4:40.55 in the 1,500m run for 677 points.

"Lars had a few events he was disappointed in," Mizzou Head Track and Field Coach, Brett Halter said. "He really had to dig deep and compete hard to get the win that he was looking for. I am very happy for Lars."

Senior Brian Hancock (Monroe City, Mo.) earned All-Conference honors for the fourth time in his career, finishing third with a jump of 5.28m (17-03 ¾). Freshman Kyle Wessel (Hannibal, Mo.) also competed in the event, placing 13th with a jump of 4.83m (15-10).

Sophomore Brooks Mosier (Lee's Summit, Mo.) led the Tigers with an All-Conference performance in the shot put, throwing 16.97m (55-08 ¼) for eighth place. Also competing in the shot put for the men were junior Patrick Fitzgerald (Eagleville, Mo.) and freshman Alex McDonald (Wentzville, Mo.) finishing 14th and 18th, respectively, with throws of 15.67m (51-05) and 15.17m (49-09 ¼). The throw was a personal record for McDonald.

Freshman Tre Chambers (Colorado Springs, Colo.) also had a big day for Mizzou. Chambers began the day by running a 10.49 to qualify for the finals in the 100m dash. In the last race on the track for the day Chambers ran a personal record of 21.04, qualifying for finals in the 200m dash. Senior Aaron Dixon (Lee's Summit, Mo.) also qualified for finals in the 800m run, running a 1:50.90. Senior Chris Davis (Riverdale, Ga.) also qualified for finals in the 400m hurdles with a personal record time of 51.66. Junior Kellyn Fogarty (Marshalltown, Iowa) also competed in that event, finishing 11th with a personal record time of 52.17.

Also competing for the Tigers today were senior Mark Hughes (Center, Mo.) who ran a personal record of 47.24 in the 400m dash to take 11th and sophomore Tucker Bounds (Columbia, Mo.) who finished 11th in the long jump, jumping 7.16m (23-06).

"All season we have been working on focus and effort," Mizzou Head Track and Field Coach, Brett Halter said. "There were personal records all across the board today and to compete at a meet at this level and get those personal records it takes a lot of effort."

The women were led by junior Leslie Farmer (Jefferson City, Mo.) who broke her own school record in the 400m hurdles, on her way to qualifying for the finals with a time of 58.69. Sophomore Laura Roxberg (Overland Park, Kan.) also qualified for finals for Mizzou in the 1,500m run with a 4:25.41.

Also competing for Mizzou was sophomore Kelcy Vanarsdall (Buckner, Mo.) who finished 13th in the heptathlon with a massive personal record score of 4,525. Vanarsdall started her day with a personal record by jumping 4.88m (16-00 ¼) in the long jump for 527 points. Vanarsdall then threw 28.88m (94-09) in the javelin for 455 points. Vanarsdall concluded her day by winning the 800m run with a huge personal record time of 2:17.13 for 863 points.

Rounding out the day of competition for Mizzou were junior Layne Moore (Emporia, Kan.) and freshman Landon Wachter (Jackson, Mo.), finishing 15th and 29th, respectively, in the 800m run, running 2:10.55 and 2:17.93. Freshman Erika Miller (Mexico, Mo.) took 15th in the long jump, jumping 5.64m (18-06). In the shot put, sophomores Laura Greenfield (Liberty, Mo.) and Cortni Ervin (Marshall, Mo.) and junior Katie Vanarsdall (Buckner, Mo.) finished 11th, 14th and 16th, respectively, throwing 15.09m (49-06 ¼), 14.55m (47-09) and 13.65m (44-09 ½). Ervin and Greenfield's throws were good enough for personal records.

"I am proud of what we accomplished today and I am looking forward to tomorrow," Halter said. "Tomorrow is going to be fun."

After six events scored for the women, Mizzou sits in 11th with five points. Nebraska leads the women's standings with 62 points. The men are currently in sixth place with 26 points after eight events. Texas leads the men's standings with 54 points.

The meet concludes tomorrow at John Jacobs Track Complex with the field events beginning at 1 p.m. and the track events starting at 5:30p.m. For the latest updates stay tuned to www.mutigers.com and following @MIZ_TrackField on Twitter.