Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Nationally-ranked MSSU track and field ready to compete at NCAA


(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The nationally-ranked Missouri Southern men's and women's track and field teams are set to compete in the 2020 NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships this Friday and Saturday (Mar. 13-14) at the Birmingham CrossPlex in Birmingham, Alabama.

The No. 3 ranked women have qualified 12 individuals in seven events, while the No. 7 ranked men have qualified nine individuals in six events. It is the most individuals ever to qualify for the Missouri Southern program.

The Championship Meet commences Friday at 10 a.m. with the multi events, but the Lions will first see action at 1:30 p.m. and see 11 individuals compete in nine events.








On the men's side, Josh Fulmer and Travis Petersen will represent Southern in the weight throw. They sit at No. 8 and No. 16 in the event, respectively, with marks of 20.14 meters (66-1) and 19.19 meters (62-11.5).

Dean Howard will participate in the men's pole vault at 3:20 p.m. as he enters sits at No. 6 by clearing 5.18 meters (17-0). The long jump, which starts at 4:00 p.m., will see Josh Norville, who has the No. 2 mark in the nation with a leap of 7.72 meters (25-4), and Brendan Watkins compete. Watkins is ranked No. 12 with a jump of 7.42 meters (24-4.25).

At 3:30 p.m. the men's first track event has Ryan Riddle participating in the mile prelims with finals scheduled for Saturday at 4:20 p.m. He enters the event ranked No. 13 with a time of 4:05.71. Gidieon Kimutai will race the 5,000-meter run at 5:30 p.m. where his posted a time of 14:03.08 has him sitting sixth in the event.

On the women's side, the top hurdling squad in the nation, according to the USTFCCCA Power Rankings, will open up action at 3:00 p.m. when Cornesia Calhoun-White and Kiara Smith compete in the 60-meter hurdle prelims. Both freshmen, Smith is ranked No. 4 in the event with a season-best time of 8.55 while Calhoun-White is ranked No. 8 with her time of 8.57. The finals in the hurdles are scheduled for 3:50 p.m. on Saturday.

Junior Jasmine Deckard, who qualified in three events, will open up with the 60-meter dash prelims on Friday at 3:25 p.m. She sits No. 7 in the event with her season-best time of 7.49. The final for the 60-meter hurdles are Saturday at 4:10 p.m. Deckard sits No. 2 in the 200-meter dash with a time of 23.78 and will race in the prelims on Friday at 5:20 p.m. aiming for the Saturday finals at 5:40 p.m.

Kirsten Leisinger will compete in the weight throw at 4:30 p.m. where she sits at No. 19 with a throw of 18.49 meters (60-8).

Southern's Saturday action will start at 1:00 p.m. when Adrain Broadus and Watkins compete in the triple jump. Watkin's 15.14-meter (49-8.25) mark has him ranked No. 10 while Broadus' 14.99-meter (49-2.25) mark has him ranked No. 17.

Rajindra Campbell holds the No. 1 spot in the shot put with a throw of 20.07 meters (65-10.25). He will compete in the event at 2:45 p.m.

Southern qualified four in the women's pole vault, which takes place at 3:55 p.m. Emily Presley will lead the way with the No. 1 ranking in the event by clearing 4.30 meters (14-1.25). Elena Bisotto and Samantha Petry, who rank in the top ten at No. 7 and No. 10 respectively, as well as Lauren Sutherland (No. 19) will also be vaulting. Southern, who has the No. 1 power ranked Vault Squad in the NCAA is the only program with 4-vaulters in the competition.

In the throws, Payton Roberts has the nation's top throw in the shot put with a throw of 16.13 meters (52-11) and she will compete at 4:45 p.m.

The quad of Deckard, Elizabeth Adeoye, Chardae Overstreet and LaNea Wallace will race in the 4x400-meter relay on Saturday at 6:45 p.m.

Complete live results for the Championships can be found by clicking here.

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