FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 2, 2007

Track sees more provisionals in first day of Radio Shack/MSSU Open Invite

Friday Results
Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern women had two NCAA provisional heights in the pole vault, and placed four in the top six in the weight throw, while the men had three in the top eight in the 3k in the first day of the Radio Shack/MSSU Open Invitational at the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.

Erica Culver (Garden City, Kan.) and Ciara Lipsey (Wichita, Kan.) finished first and second in the pole vault, both earning NCAA provisionals. Culver jumped 12 feet, one and a half inch, while Lipsey had a vault of 11 feet, five and three quarter inches. Both vaults were school records breaking the previous best of 11 feet two and a half inches.

"We had an excellent day in the pole vault and we continue to get better," said women's coach Patty Vavra. "Both Erica and Ciara had been frustrated and they knew they had much better jumps in them and it was nice to see this. Erica's jump is big and should be top five nationally and Ciara's is a personal best."

Jessica Selby (Galena, Mo.) and Jessica Self (Neosho, Mo.) finished second and third in the weight throw, while Amanda Littlefield (Stella, Mo.) and Courtney Vie (Lone Jack, Mo.) were fifth and sixth. Selby's throw of 52 feet, ten and three quarter inches was another provisional in the event for the junior. Channell Lloyd (O'Fallon, Mo.) finished fifth in the long jump with a distance of 17 feet, two and a quarter inches.

"Our throwers have been real consistent this year and have been a strong point of this team," Vavra said. "Channell is getting better and can only move up from here."

Cory Schumate (Conway, Ark.) won the men's open pole vault with a jump of 14 feet, seven and a quarter inches. He will compete tomorrow in the elite pole vault where the opening height will be 14 feet 11 inches.

"All of our pole vaulters have improved," said men's coach Tom Rutledge. "Men and women, both, they're all doing a great job this year. Kyle Rutlege is doing an excellent job with them and I'm very pleased."

Southern placed three runners in the top eight of the 3k run with Ryan Arthur (Clinton, Mo.) placing second with a time of 8:47.27. Brennan Benkert (St. Clair, Mo.) was sixth with a time of 8:57.56, while Bret Musser (St. Joseph, Mo.) was eighth with a time of 9:12.81.

"I was very happy we had three runners in the top eight of the 3k tonight," Rutledge said. "Ryan's (Arthur) time was a new personal best for him on a flat track."

Southern placed sixth in the men's distance medley relay with a time of 10:32.99.

"We continue to see improvement in our 200m as well as most of the events," Rutledge said. "We have to keep climbing the ladders if we want to be a championship team."

Southern will conclude the meet tomorrow beginning at 10:30 am.