Sophomore Terry Phillips continued her string of impressive performances in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.  She became the only Bear athlete to move on to next month’s NCAA Division I National Championship meet.

Phillips earned the automatic bid on her fifth-place finish in today’s steeplechase.  She finished with a time of 10:35.57.  Phillips holds the Missouri State school record in the event with a time of 10:19.45.

Senior Jamie Vest also competed in the 3,000-meter steeplechase today.  She finished 14th with a time of 10:51.89.  Vest ends her Missouri State career with three-straight appearances at the regional meet in the steeplechase.  She competed at the NCAA Championship meet last year, where she finished 26th.

The 4x400-meter relay team of Cortene Boulard, Leander Ernest, Rashida Allen and Yaneika Malcolm ran their fastest relay of the year.  However, their time of 3:40.30 was only good for 12th place. 

Mareneika Goffe was the lone jumper to compete for the Bears today.  Goffe reached a height of 5-07.00 feet (1.70 meters) in the high jump.  She finished 20th in the event.

Phillips will move on to compete at the NCAA National Championship meet in Fayetteville, Ark.  John McDonnell Field at the University of Arkansas will host the National Championship on June 10-13. 

Day 1 recap

Freshman Jelni Kelly mustered 151-01 feet (46.05 meters) on her second discus throw of the flight.  It was her longest of the day and placed her 17th in the region.  It was the St. Louis native’s first competition at the regional meet.

Leander Ernest ran the 400-meter dash in an attempt to reach the NCAA National Championship for the third consecutive year in an individual event.  Ernest’s bid fell short as she ran a time of 54.94 seconds and finished 12th in the event, short of reaching tomorrow’s final.  Ernest had reached the NCAA National meet in the 800-meter run the past two years.