Joplin, Mo. -- The men's and women's track and field teams picked up a pair of provisionals in day one of the 2017 MSSU Open held on Mercy Track inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.
Junior Joseph had a great second meet of the season as the junior college transfer became just the second Lion ever to eclipse 60 feet in the weight throw, and hit a provisional distance of 60-07.75. That mark is 11 inches from the MSSU school record and is the third-best throw in the history of the program. Joseph finished second, but was the top collegiate in the weight throw.
The other povisional came from
Allie Heckemeyer as the junior hit a mark of 38 feet even to finish second in the triple jump.
Sierra Barrett was sixth in the event with a jump of 36-10.50.
In other action on the men's side,
Matt Willis was sixth in the 200m with a time of 22.76, while placing seventh in the 60m hurdles with a time of 8.53.
Kyle Parr was 30th in the hurdles with a time of 9.11.
Dausen Gourley was 11th in the 60m dash, while
Keson Payton and
Matt Willis placed 14th and 22nd, respectively.
Chance Johnson was 15th in the long jump with a leap of 21-05.50, while
Brendan Watkins placed 16th in a distance of 21-05.25. Parr was 27th with a leap of 20-01.00.
In women's action,
Morgan Smith qualified fourth for the finals of the 60m hurdles in a time of 9.00.
Rachel Ray was 27th and Heckemeyer placed 32nd.
Halee Cashio was 13th in the weight throw, hitting a mark of 45-09.25.
Tiffany Gilford, Smith and
Ronise Miller placed 26th, 30th and 56th in the 60m dash, while
Destiny Akannam and Smith placed 13th and 14th in the 200m. Miller, Ray Gilford and
Kristen Koch placed 39th, 40th, 49th and 53rd, respectively in the event.
The Lions will conclude the meet tomorrow morning. Action begins at 10 am.
