Emporia, Kan. --  The Missouri Southern women's track and field team is in sixth place overall after day one of the 2011 MIAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Emporia State University.

Southern had five runners qualify for the finals of five different events today. Jasmin Hughes qualified for the finals of the 100m and 200m, while Kelly McKay qualified in both the 200m and the 400m. Carita Riutta also qualified for the finals of the 800m, while JeAnna Sheppard and Brandy Simpson both qualified for the finals of the 100m hurdles.

In other action, Sydney Haase scored points for the Lions with a fourth-place finish in the pole vault, clearing 10-11. Nicole Green and Kylie Cornman both picked up provisionals and scored points for Southern with a fifth and sixth place finish, respectively in the shot put. Green threw 45-9, while Cornman hit 45-3.75. Green also scored points for Southern with a seventh place finish in the discuss at 139 feet.

The Lions will finish up the championships tomorrow.