Lions place second at 2010 MIAA Indoor Championships
Joplin, Mo. -- Kimi Shank raced to victory in the 3k and placed second in the mile on her way to 28 points and a third place finish in the high point competition as the Lions placed second at the 2010 MIAA Indoor Track and Field Championships today in the Leggett & Platt Athletic center.
The Lions finished 17.5 points behind first place Nebraska-Omaha who wins the indoor title for the second-straight year. Southern scored 109.5 points and were followed by Central Missouri in third with 76. Emporia State was fourth, followed by Pittsburg State, Fort Hays, Truman, Northwest Missouri and Southwest Baptist.
The Lions had 21 All-MIAA performances and five multiple performances led by Shank (5k, Mile, 3k), Ashley Bunch (5k, 3k, Mile), Courtney Waltbillig (3k, Mile, DMR), Kelly McKay (DMR, 200m) and Olga Bulgarova (DMR, 800m).
Southern went 2-3-4 in the mile with Shank, Bunch and Waltbillig all picking up All-MIAA honors. Shank led a smoking fast 3k as the top four runners bested the MIAA record in the event. Shank's 9:54.90 will stand as the new mark, while Bunch was second and Waltbillig placed fourth.
Rachel Olinyk picked up an All-MIAA honor with a third place performance in the high jump, clearing 5-05.75. Lisa Vengels placed fifth for All-MIAA honors with the same height as Olinyk, but with more misses. Gayla Booth was ninth in the event, as well.
Nicole Green was fourth in the shot put to pick up All-MIAA status and Cortney Vie, Erin Steffens and Emilie Mieseler went 8-9-10 in the event. Carita Riutta used a strong final lap to place second in the 600 yard with a time of 1:26.37 to earn All-MIAA honors. Bulgarova was sixth in the 800 meters, while McKay placed fifth in the 200 meters. Both earned All-MIAA status in their respective events.
In the final event of the night, the Lions 4x400 meter relay team of Cyarra PRince, Jeanna Sheppard, McKay and Riutta placed fifth with a time of 4:04.09.
Lions All-MIAA Honors
Kimi Shank (5k, 3k, Mile)
Ashley Bunch (3k, Mile)
Courtney Waltbillig (DMR)
Kelly McKay (DMR)
Olga Bulgarova (DMR)
Rachel Olinyk (High Jump)
Ciara Lipsey (Pole Vault)
Emilie Mieseler (Weight Throw)
Channell Lloyd (Triple Jump)
Carita Riutta (600 Yard)
Alex Close (DMR)
