The Missouri State women’s track and field team concluded the Mideast Regional Championship Saturday, May 31, in Fayetteville, Ark. Missouri State turned in several solid performances at the Mideast Regional with two Bears earning a spot to compete at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Junior Jamie Vest and sophomore Leander Ernest will represent MSU in the 3,000-meter steeplechase and the 800-meter run, respectively, at the national meet.

Vest earned her first trip to the NCAA National Championship with a fourth-place finish in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. She recorded a personal best time of 10:35.94 in the event, placing her third on the Missouri State All-Time top performers list.

Ernest’s performance in the final of the 800-meters netted an at-large bid to the NCAA meet as she crossed the line at the 2:08.47 mark. In preliminary action, Ernest recorded a time of 2:06.97, just shy of her personal best and the Missouri State school record held by Augustina Charles.

Also competing for Missouri State at the Mideast Regional was freshman Terry Phillips who placed 10th in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 11:01.86, senior Asher Kyger who came home 17th in the 1500-meter run in a time of 4:37.16 and MSU’s 4x400 relay squad consisting of Jacqui Lindsey, Ernest, Cortenee Boulard and Yaneika Malcolm who captured ninth-place in a time of 3:39.43.

The 2008 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships will be held Wednesday through Saturday, June 11-14, in Des Moines, Iowa.