Meet Results (PDF)
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Missouri State track and field team wrapped up its regular indoor season at the Arkansas Qualifier here Friday, with multiple Bears recording season or lifetime bests at the competitive, annual meet.
"Today was our best day of the season so far and that's what you want to see at this stage," said head coach Jordan Fife, "things seem to be coming together well."
DaeLin Switzer kicked off the day by jumping to a first-place finish for MSU in the high jump, reaching a height of 1.68 meters. The event title is the freshman's second this season after finishing first at the DeLoss Dodds Invitational with a jump of the same height. In the long jump, Tamia Rayford earned her first personal best of the day, jumping 5.69 meters and to a third-place finish.
On the track, Madison Meredith once again led the charge for the Bears in the 60-meter dash, beating her lifetime best and MSU record in the event with a new time of 7.25. The senior's efforts were enough to take second place in the highly-competitive field. Fellow Bear, Calandra Henry earned a third-place finish in the event, recording a season-best of 7.66.
In the 200-meter dash, the pair earned personal bests as well, with Meredith clocking a 24.01 and Henry recording a 24.96 to finish in seventh and 14th place, respectively. Also sprinting to her second personal best of the day, was Rayford, who earned a top-10 finish in the 400-meter run (56.44) to end the day in 9th place.
"Madi improved her national ranking by a couple of spots, Tamia had a phenomenal day in the long jump, taking over the conference lead and in the 400, putting herself in contention for some big points next week," added Fife.
The Bears also found success in the distance races, with Shelby Palmer earning a season best by four seconds in the 3,000-meter run. Her time of 10:17.25 gave her a third-place finish at the qualifier, while teammates Adyson Delaney and Margo Nea finished in fifth and sixth, respectively, racing times of 10:39.99 and 10:50.76.
In other distance races, Edna Dar narrowly missed the top five in the one-mile run, finishing in sixth after racing a 4:59.41. Sierra Williams raced a personal best 2:12.38 improving four seconds from last season. She finished in seventh place out of 19 athletes competing over multiple heats.
"The vast majority of athletes competing today had lifetime bests or at least season bests," continued Fife. "There was a lot of good energy and we're looking to carry that with us."
The Bears look to carry the momentum they garnered today into the Missouri Valley Conference Championships, when Missouri State travels to Chicago Feb. 27-28.
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