MSSU men's track has two event winners, four All-MIAA performances Sunday

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern men's track and field team had four All-MIAA performances and two event winners in the final day of the 2017 Indoor Track and Field Championships held inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.

The Lions placed third overall and Vincent Kiprop finished just one point shy of earning his second-straight MIAA High Point Winner award.

Kiprop won the 3k and finished second in the mile to earn 28 points for the Lions. Kiprop's time in the 3k broke his own MIAA record in the event as he finished in a time of 8:14.34. Tyler Rush was sixth in the event to earn points for the Lions, whiel Nickson Kiptoo was ninth, Cody Berry finished 11th and Jared Haltom was 16th.

Kiprop was second in the mile as he was running in the event for the first time this season. He finished with a provisional time of 4:11.17, while Rush was eighth and Kiptoo placed ninth.

Freshman Cody Vogt won the high jump with a provisional height of 6-09.50, while Bryan Burns was second in the shot put to earn his second All-MIAA performance of the Championships. Burns was the event leader up until the final throw when he was surpassed. He had a provisional toss of 57-09.50.

In other action, Colton Gurera and Victor Encarnacion was 11th and 13th in the 600y, while Peyton Powell was 20th. Matt Willis earned points for the Lions with a sixth-place finish in the hurdles, while Jordan Manier picked up points with a fifth-place finish in the long jump, going a distance of 24-01.75. Brendan Waktins was 14th and Kennan Harrison was 15th in the long jump.

The 4x400m relay team of Willis, Gurera, Dausen Gourley and Thomas Hawkins picked up points with a seventh-place finish in a time of 3:25.06.

Pittsburg State won the team title, while Lincoln was second and Southern placed third. Central Missouri was fourth, followed by Fort Hays State, Nebraska-Kearney, Emporia State, Northwest Missouri, Lindenwood, Washburn and Southwest Baptist.

In all, the Lions earned nine All-MIAA performances at the Championships. A complete list is below.

The Lions will now wait to see what marks have qualified athletes for the Division II National Championships held in Birmingham, Ala. on March 10 and 11.

All-MIAA Performances
Bryan Burns - Weight Throw (Champion), Shot Put - 2nd
Junior Joseph - Weight Throw - 3rd
Vincent Kiprop - 3k (Champion), 5k (Champion), Mile - 2nd
Morgan Hold - Pole Vault - 2nd
Cody Vogt - High Jump (Champion)
Kennan Harrison - Triple Jump - 2nd