TULSA, Okla. & ST. LOUIS, Mo. — The Missouri Southern track and field teams had throwers in action at Oral Roberts and distance runners at Washington University as the teams competed in split locations today.
In total, the Lions had three event wins at Oral Roberts including Travis Petersen in the hammer throw, Andrew Wells in the high jump and Elizabeth Pomatto in the javelin, while Gidieon Kimutai won the 5k at Wash U.
At ORU, Pomatto won her second event in a row as she took home the title in the javelin with an NCAA Provisional Qualifying Mark of 148-01 (45.14m). Morgan Ash was second in the event with a provisional distance of 141-01, while Alexis Kuehl and Katelyn Mooney placed fourth and fifth, respectively and Miracle Grant was 19th.
Andrew Wells won the high jump with an NCAA Provisional Qualifying Mark of 6-09.75, while DeShaun Williams was tied for second with a mark of 6-04.75.
Travis Petersen won the hammer throw in an NCAA Provisional Qualifying Mark of 194-02, while Josh Fulmer picked up a provisional mark of 185-09. Trace Henault finished 10th in a distance of 160-00.
Wynter Nekola was fourth in the high jump with a mark of 5-03, while Kirsten Leisinger was second in the hammer with a distance of 166-02. Alexandra Rodriguez was fifth in the hammer with a distance of 158-07.
After day one at ORU, the Lions lead the team score on the women’s side with 42 points, 23 points in front of second-place South Dakota State. On the men’s side, Southern is second with 32 points, eight points behind first-place Pittsburg State.
At Washington University, the Lions sent distance runners to compete in the competitive 5k. Kimutai won the men’s 5k with an NCAA Provisional Qualifying time of 14:24.38. Josh Webb was 10th, while Nickson Kiptoo (13th), Cody Berry (15th), Jared Ozee (16th) and Kevin Koester (18th) all finished in the top-18.
In the women’s 5k, Ashlee Kuykendall led the way with a 27th-place finish in a time of 18:02.49. Julianna Determan was 33rd, while Kelie Henderson placed 44th.
The Lions will be back in action tomorrow in day two at ORU.