COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Tigers closed their regular indoor season on Friday (Feb. 19) at home with the eighth annual Missouri Collegiate Challenge. Highlighting the evening's events was senior Alyssa Felton, who finally stands alone at the top of the 60m hurdle record board after tying the top time in school history twice this season. Felton was one of 17 Tigers to earn new personal record marks on their home track, as the team now looks forward to next week and the SEC Championship meet.
HEAR FROM COACH HALTER…
"It was a fun track meet to do this time of the year. Obviously we had the majority of our team resting today, a portion going up to Notre Dame for tomorrow, but the kids who were on the track today just did a sensational job competing. It was terrific to see Alyssa Applebee making attempts at the school record, I think that's two weeks in a row that she's been close to that. Great to see Matt Ludwig continue to execute well at opening bars that are bigger bars than he's accustomed to seeing, and taking good jumps at those big-time heights. Obviously really excited for Alyssa Felton, getting that school record. The men's and women's short sprints group just did a really good job. I think we're in a good spot heading into next weekend, and we're really excited."
A 26-YEAR OLD RECORD OVERCOME
It was a familiar story for Alyssa Felton heading into the 60m hurdle finals on Saturday. The senior had tied the 8.53 school record during the preliminary round, just as she had earlier this season on her home track. But she had shared the record long enough, having sat alongside a pair of legendary names in Mizzou Track & Field history, Teri LeBlanc and JaNay Woolridge, for the past month. Felton returned to the blocks in the finals and dipped well-under the 1989 record time with an 8.50 finish, winning the finals and placing her alone at the top of the record board.
In the men's 60m hurdles, freshman Charles Graham, Jr., continued making his way toward the school record, running a PR of 7.96 to improve upon his No. 2 All-Time performance from earlier this season.
PR'S FALL IN THE 60m DASH
The men's 60m dash saw a series of personal record performers, as the Tiger men went 1-2-3 in the final of the competition. Freshman Kahmari Montgomery led the way for the black and gold, improving upon his No. 9 All-Time mark with a 6.86 PR finish. He was followed by sophomore Niager Mathis, who timed through in 6.89 during the preliminary round, nudging his way into the All-Time Top Ten. Finally, sophomore Jonathan Holder finished third in the field, crossing with a PR of 9.97.
The women also took the top three spots in the dash, led by junior LaQuisha Jackson's 7.41 finish. Freshman Maya Cody was next across the line in 7.54, tying her PR from earlier this season, followed by Alyssa Felton who tallied her second PR of the day in 7.64, the fifth-fastest time in school history.
PERSONAL RECORDS IN THE DISTANCE EVENTS
The Tigers claimed a new meet record in the 600m run, as junior Cain Winebrenner led the field with in 1:20.38, downing his own PR as well as the Collegiate Challenge record of 1:21.67 from 2013.
Other PR's from the distance events include junior Brian Hernan (4:27.97) and freshman Hannah Thomas (5:07.55) in the mile runs.
FIELD EVENTS SHINE
The Tigers nearly had a second school record fall Saturday evening, as Alyssa Applebee had a series of looks at the 4.16m (13-7.75) in the pole vault. This would have put the junior just over the current record, which has been held by Jennifer Bennett at 4.15m (13-7.50) since 2003. Applebee closed with a final bar of 4.06m (13-3.75), tying her indoor PR and giving her second in the field.
In the high jump, freshman Karissa Roman also claimed a second-place finish, earning herself a new PR of 1.68m (5-6) in the process.
A number of PR's also came out of the throws ring, starting with freshman Will Fife whose 16.05m (52-8) finish earned him a new best and the first-place finish.
In the men's weight throw, senior Nick Sublett (17.05m // 55-11.25), junior Tanner Buschmann (14.64m // 48-0.50), and junior Sean Harrell (14.61m // 47-11.25) all closed with new personal records.
The Tigers now enter the championship portion of the season, as they head back to Fayetteville, Arkansas, next week for the SEC Championships. Events will be held in the Randal Tyson Track Center on Friday (February 26) and Saturday (February 27). For more information on your Tigers, stay tuned to MUTigers.com and follow the team on Twitter @MIZ_TrackField.
#MIZTF RESULTS – ON THE TRACK
60m Dash, Men – 1. Kahmari Montgomery, 6.86 PR #9 // 2. Niager Mathis, 6.92 (6.89p PR #10) // 3. Jonathan Holder, 6.97 PR // 7. Jerrad Mason, 7.02
60m Dash, Women – 1. LaQuisha Jackson, 7.41 // 2. Maya Cody, 7.54 // 3. Alyssa Felton, 7.66 (7.64p PR #5)
600m Run, Men – 1. Cain Winebrenner, 1:20.38 PR MR
Mile Run, Men – 2. Brian Hernan, 4:27.97 PR // 3. Patrick Kearns, 4:28.79
Mile Run, Women – 1. Hannah Thomas, 5:07.55 PR // 2. Bailey Hession, 5:07.81
60m Hurdles, Men – 1. Charles Graham, Jr., 7.96 PR // Ser Whitaker, 8.47p
60m Hurdles, Women – 1. Alyssa Felton, 8.50 PR SR
#MIZTF RESULTS – IN THE FIELD
Long Jump, Women – 2. Lynnsey Brim, 5.47m (17-11.50) // 11. Keyoni Mbroh, 4.80m (15-9)
Triple Jump, Women – 4. Danielle Williams, 10.85m (35-7.25)
Triple Jump, Men – 1. John Warren, 15.69m (51-5.75) // 3. Tony Carodine, 15.40m (50-6.25)
High Jump, Women – 2. Karissa Roman, 1.68m (5-6) PR
Pole Vault, Men – 1. Matt Ludwig, 5.18m (17-0) // 8. Ser Whitaker, 4.43m (14-6.25) PR
Pole Vault, Women – 2. Alyssa Applebee, 4.06m (13-3.75) PR // 4. Bri Gibbs, 3.51m (11-6.25) PR
Shot Put, Men – 1. Will Fife, 16.05m (52-8) PR // 3. Avery Carter, 15.03m (49-3.75)
Shot Put, Women – 4. Sarah Weidner, 12.48m (40-11.50)
Weight Throw, Men – 2. Nick Sublett, 17.05m (55-11.25) PR // 4. Ahren Bohanan, 16.51m (54-2) // 7. Tanner Buschmann, 14.64m (48-0.50) PR // 8. Sean Harrell, 14.61m (47-11.25) PR
Weight Throw, Women – 5. Sarah Weidner, 14.86m (48-9)