FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 29, 2008

Lions pick up three individual and one team title in first day of 2008 MIAA Indoor Track and Field Championships

First Day Results

Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern men's and women's track and field teams picked up three individual and one team title today in day one of the 2008 MIAA Indoor Track and Field Championships at the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.

The Southern women have a comanding 29 point lead after day one after strong showings from the throwers and vaulters. Jessica Selby-Tallman picked up her second-straight weight throw title as the Southern women had four of the top five finishers. Selby-Tallman threw 56 feet, 10 and a quarter inches, while Jessica Self finished second with a distance of 56 feet, eight and a half inches. Courtney Vie and Emilie Mieseler finished fourth and fifth to earn All-MIAA honors, as well.

Erica Culver repeated as MIAA pole vault champion with a jump of 12 feet, one and a half inches. Cira Lipsey was fourth with a vault of 11 feet, one and three quarter inches. The women's DMR team turned in an impressive performance taking home the title as Courtney Waltbillig, Carita Riutta, Alison Walker and Kara Eckard finished in a time of 12:19.31, 14 seconds in front of their nearest competition.

Kimi Shank picked up All-MIAA honors after finishing second in the 5k, while Chanell Lloyd had a jump o f37 feet, seven and three quarters to finish fourth and pick up All-MIAA status in the triple jump. Lloyd also qualified for the finals in the 60m hurdles, while Stacy Borgard and Walker qualified in the 600 yard and 800m, respectively.

Dustin Miller breezed home to win the men's 5k as the Southern men took first, third and fifth in the event. The Men are in second place with 29 points after day one. Ryan Arthur and Brennon Benkert picked up All-MIAA status after finishing 3rd and 5th in the event.

The DMR team of Kyle Davis, Kevin Wright, Derek Wright and Aki Nummela all picked up All-MIAA honors after finishing third. John Isenman was 12th in the weight throw, while Phillip Horn qualified for the finals of the 60m hurdles with a time of 8.41.

Jordan Patton qualified in both the 60m and 200m dash, while Nummela qualified in the 800 with the third fastest time.

Action resumes tomorrow morning at 10 am with the women's long jump, as well as the men's shot put and high jump.