FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 19, 2009

Eckard, Lions fare well at Arkansas

Fayetteville, Ark. - Kara Eckard punched her ticket to the 2009 outdoor national championships with a solid performance in the steeplechase as the Missouri Southern Lions competed at the Arkansas John McDonnell Invite.

Eckard finished fifth in the steeple with an automatic qualifying time of 10:54.52, just a few seconds off of her own school record. It is the seventh fastest time in Division II this season and the second fastest in the MIAA. Kara Fritchie improved her personal best in the same race by nearly 40 seconds, finishing 11th with a provisional time of 11:18.54.

Carita Riutta added a provisional time in the 800m with an eighth place finish of 2:13.57. Courtney Waltbillig was fourth in the 1500m with a tiem of 4:49.75, while Jill Weeks was fourth in the javelin with a distance of 133-10. Lisa Vengels was fifth in the high jump, while Ciara Lipsey placed eighth in the pole vault. Shannan Borgard placed fourth in the open 800.

In men's action, Phillip Horn was 11th in the 110m hurdles with a time of 14.99. Corey Shumate, Seager Wilson and Horn placed 6th, 8th, and 10th in the pole vault, Seth HAckney and Kyle Hancock were 8th and 10th in the shot put, while Derek Wright and Rustan Crockett placed 10th and 11th in the 800m.

Both teams will be back in action next Friday as the Lions play host to the Bill Williams/Bob Laptad Invitational at Fred G. Hughes Stadium.