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MSSU Women Win Third Straight MIAA Title
PITTSBURG, Kan. (PSU Media Relations) -- The Missouri Southern State University women's outdoor track & field team claimed just five individual event victories all weekend but the Lions scored points in all but three of 21 events to claim the 2010 MIAA Outdoor Championship Sunday (May 9) at Carnie Smith Stadium/Prentice Gudgen Track.
MSSU, which earned its third consecutive conference crown, scored a meet-high 151 points rally from a 15-point day one deficit. The University of Central Missouri, which led in the standings after Saturday's action, finished a distant second place with 117.5 points, while the host school, Pittsburg State University, was third with 113.5 points.
MSSU's Kimi Shank claimed victories in the 10,000 meters (35:15.46) Saturday and the 5,000 meters Sunday (16:46.93) to lead the Lions title defense.
"It's an honor to win a conference championship against the caliber of competition that this league provides," MSSU head coach Patty Vavra said. "For us to come out on top in a league as deep as the MIAA in especially rewarding. This is a special group of athletes with giant hearts. They always compete hard and come together for one another. We didn't win a lot of events so it took a total team effort to win this championship."
In addition to Shank's double victories, Channell Lloyd won the 100m hurdles in 14.09 seconds, Ashley Bunch won the 3,000m steeplechase in 10:44.64 and Lisa Vengels claimed victory in the high jump, clearing 5-9.75.
Both Bunch and Vengels established new Prentice Gudgen Track record in the process of their wins.
Among other noteable performances, Central Missouri sophomore Lindsay Lettow garnered the MIAA High Point Award, scoring 31.5 points in the meet. Lettow claimed victories in the heptathlon and the 400m hurdles. She also ran the anchor leg for UCM's MIAA runner-up 1,600m relay, placed third in the 100m hurdles and finished eighth in the long jump competition.
Pitt State's Larissa Richards claimed an MIAA crown in the discus throw with a toss of 149-0 in the event, while teammate Heidi Smith won the shot put with a throw of 46-8.75 Sunday.
Emporia State's Brooke Kent won the triple jump with a personal-best jump of 40-7.75, a Prentice Gudgen Track record effort.
Nebraska-Omaha's Anja Puc scored victories in both the 800m (2:11.65) and the 1,500m (4:33.77), setting a track record in the 800m.
The Lady Mavs swept the sprints with Maja Mihalinec winning both the 100m (12.17) and the 200m (24.92) and Kayla Koepke winning the 400m (56.54).
Southwest Baptist's Jasmine Sanford won the MIAA Freshman High Point Award, scoring 13.5 points in the meet.
