Shank/Mieseler earn auto qualifying marks in weekend track action

Joplin, Mo. -- Both Emilie Miesler and Kimi Shank earned automatic qualifying marks to the outdoor nationals and Shank broke her own school record in the 10k in weekend track and field action.

Shank, competing at the Mt. Sac Relays at Mt. San Antonio College, finished fifth in the 10k, but was the top division II athlete in the event with an automatic time of 34:56.57. She broke her own previous record in the event (35.43.93)  that she set at last year's outdoor championships by 47 seconds. 

Mieseler placed third in the hammer, but was the top collegiate athlete and earned an automatic qualifying mark with a new personal best of 181-07 as she led the Lions' contingent of athletes at the Central Missouri Mule Relays on Friday. Nicole Green was seventh in the hammer.

The Lions won six events at Central and Kelly McKay picked up wins in both the 100 meters and 200 meters. Tia Cook was 11th in the 100m, while Danielle Oliver and Cook were 5th and 16th in the 200m. 

Alex Close was first in the 400 meters with a time of 1:01.12, while Michelle Stevens won the 800 meters with a time of 2:21.31. Brandy Simpson was 15th in the 800m. 

Lisa Vengels was first in the high jump with a provisional height of 5-7, while Rachel Olinyk was fifth. Ciara Lipsey vaulted to a provisional hight of 12-6 to win the pole vault. 

Brandy Simpson, Vengels and Gayla Booth were 2nd, 4th and 5th in the long jump, while Simpson and Vengels were second and third in the 100m hurdles. Cyarra Prince was third in the triple jump, while Green and Mieseler were second and fifth in the shot put. Green's distance of 46-2.75 is a provisional qualifying mark in the event. 

Kat Oberle and Victoria Kline placed 4th and 7th in the 5k, while Jill Weeks picked up a provisional with a second place heave of 134-01 in the javelin. Kiley Jones picked up a provisional with a second place heave of 146 feet in the discus and Green was fourth in the event. 

A group of Lions also went to the KU Relays this week. Courtney Waltbillig was fourth in the 5k with a time of 17:21.94, while placing sixth in the 1,500 meters. Ashley Bunch was sixth in the 5k, while Carita Riutta, Olga Bulgurova and Alison Walker were third, sixth and ninth in the 800 meters. Channell Lloyd placed ninth in the triple jump. 

The Lions will be back in action next Friday as Southern plays host to the Bill Williams/Bob Laptop Invitational at Fred G. Hughes Stadium.