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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Rutledge named MIAA/Regional Coach of the Year / Selby named Regional Field Athlete of the Year Joplin, Mo. -- Missouri Southern head track and field coach Tom Rutledge has been named the MIAA Coach, as well as Track and Field Coaches Association Regional Coach of the Year. Southern junior thrower Jessica Selby was named the Track and Field Coaches Association Regional Field Athlete of the Year, as well. Rutledge led the Lions to their first MIAA Title since 2004 when both the men's and women's squads swept at home. Southern went 1, 2, 3 and 6 in the Pole Vault with Seager Wilson capturing his first individual title. High jumper Chris Brown set a personal best and won the MIAA High Jump individual title helping the Lions to a four point win. Wilson, Russell Ellis, and Jacob Williams, along with Brown have all qualified for the NCAA National Meet in Boston later this week. Missouri Southern went 1, 2 in the pole vault at last year's nationals with Matt Campbell taking home the National Championship, while Kyle Rutledge finished second. Selby won her third straight MIAA Shot Put Title this year and automatically qualified for the NCAA National Meet earlier in the year with a school record throw of 49 feet, three inches. Selby, along with pole vaulter Erica Culver will both be competing in the National Meet. Southern's six athletes will travel to Boston and Stonehill College for the NCAA Division II National Meet this Friday and Saturday. |