CHICAGO – The Missouri State track and field team recorded a sixth-place team finish at the conclusion of the Missouri Valley Conference Championships, turning out several top performances on the final day of the meet.
"The team brought so much effort today and I couldn't be prouder of their fight," said head coach Jordan Fife. "You can't ask for much more than getting to the last event to separate four schools. It was an intense day but overall, there were so many highlights."
Madison Meredith secured herself a nationals bid in the 60-meter dash, becoming the first Missouri State athlete to qualify for the NCAA Indoor Championships since 2013. Her time of 7.23 seconds gave her the event title in addition to the new school and conference championship record. The gold-medal performance was her second in as many years as the Detroit, Mich., native also won the event last season. Meredith also made her way onto the podium in the 200-meter dash, finishing third while racing a 24.07. Teammate Calandra Henry narrowly missed the podium in the 60-meter, finishing in fourth place with a time of 7.56.
"Madi lowered her best in the 60m which was good enough for a conference record and a top 16 mark in the country which will get her to the NCAA championships," said Fife. "Calandra was huge for us today as well, scoring in two events. It's great to have her back and running at her best."
In the one-mile run, Edna Dar earned a spot on the podium for the Bears, after turning out a career-best race in the event. Her time of 4:51.20 gave was good for a third-place finish. Dar now holds the third and fourth fastest times in Missouri State History in the event. Sierra Williams also recorded a personal best time on day two of the championships (4:54.41), finishing the indoor season fourth in the MVC.
"Edna and Sierra ran near perfect miles for third and fourth and walked away with two new lifetime bests to keep the momentum going," continued Fife.
After recording a lifetime best in the 60-meter hurdles on day one of the championships to qualify for the finals, Rochelle Etienne earned her second personal best in as many days. Her time of 8.82 aided her to a sixth-place finish.
DaeLin Switzer led the Bears' efforts on the field side of things, continuing to find success in her debut collegiate season while jumping to a runner-up finish. The freshman's clearance of 1.72 meters matches her personal best, which she recorded earlier this season.
Three Bears competed for Missouri State in the triple jump on the second and final day of competition, with Tamia Emerson earning a top-10 finish in ninth place (11.12). Brooke Jenkins and Olivia Richards finished with respective marks of 10.21 and 10.08.
MSU ended the championships with a sixth-place finish in the 4X400 meter relay as Charity Obazughanmwen, Dar, Williams and Tamia Rayford combined for a time of 3:52.05 to cap the Bears' indoor season.
Indiana State won the women's championship with 132 points, while Illinois State (117) and Southern Illinois (103) rounded out the top three.
"The change of facility allowed for some unbelievable performances in the Valley this weekend and we were excited to be a part of that with our athletes as we get ready to set some high expectations for the outdoor season," finished Fife.
The meet concludes MSU's indoor slate sending them into several weeks of preparation for outdoor season which begins on March 25 at Saint Louis.
1. Indiana State (132 points)
2. Illinois State (117 points)
3. Southern Illinois (103 points)
5. Northern Iowa (64)
6. Missouri State (63)
