Dec. 2, 2012
Results
JONESBORO, Ark. -- The Missouri State track & field team notched a slew of top-10 finishes and a quartet of first-place performances at the Arkansas State Kickoff Klassic on Sunday (Dec. 2) in Jonesboro, Ark.
Freshman Shavonne Husbands led a strong Bears showing with a first-place finish in the finals of the 200-meter dash. Husbands crossed the finish line in 24.59 seconds, about a quarter of a second ahead of junior teammate Pernell Joseph (24.83). Missouri State placed a total of five runners among the event's top-10, including senior Kimsue Grant (25.24), sophomore Gabriella Ade-Onojobi (25.56) and junior Alyx Dull (25.84). Junior Gemma Smith finished the 200 meters with a new personal-best time of 26.56.
Another Bears freshman had an effective first day of collegiate track competition, as Oarabile Babolayi claimed victory in the 400-meter dash. The native of Mosetse, Botswana finished with a time of 57.89 seconds.
Senior Kimsue Grant was victorious in the long jump competition, as she finished with a leap of 5.96 meters. Smith (5.46m) and freshman Robiann Broomfield (5.41m) also posted strong showings in the event and placed third and fourth, respectively.
Missouri State's 4x400-meter relay team took first in their event, as the "A" team of Ade-Onojobi, Babolayi, Husbands and Grant raced to a victorious finish in 3:51.80. The Bears' "B" team wasn't far behind, as the squad consisting of Dull, Joseph and freshmen Josie Dyke and Cindy Forde took third place in 4:00.38.
Joseph captured a new personal best with a runner-up finish in the 55-meter dash. The All-MVC athlete from a year ago legged out a strong finish in 6.99 seconds.
In the weight throw, junior Jessica Dantin smashed her previous career high with a distance of 13.91 meters. The throw was good enough to place her third in the field of 10 student-athletes.
The Bears will return to action after the new year when they head to the Saluki Open in Carbondale, Ill. on Jan. 11-12.
