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Missouri track & field achieved significant results at the Bryan Clay Invitational in California and the Big Red Classic in Nebraska on April 18, showcasing personal bests and program milestones.
Senior Allison Newman embraces Elissa Barnard during the second day of the Big Red Classic on Saturday, April 18 at the Nebraska Outdoor Track in Lincoln, Neb. | Courtesy of Dan Murphy from Mizzou Athletics
Under the lights at Azusa Pacific University and through a full day of action in Lincoln, Missouri track & field showed its strength from the coast to the Midwest on Saturday, April 18.
While the Bryan Clay Invitational stretched late into the California night, and the Big Red Classic delivered an all-day showcase, both meets were filled with personal bests and program history along the way.
âOne of the things I enjoy the most about the track season, especially as we get, you know, further into it, is you start to get those elements of team back, and it starts to get exciting, and I think thatâs something that the SEC breeds naturally,â distance coach Kyle Levermore said.
Womenâs 5000m Record-Breaking Race
The night was young for these Mizzou track & field athletes, and they rose to the occasion.
Kobi Walker raced in style, as she claimed fourth overall in the womenâs 5,000m with a time of 15:58.01. This result was Mizzouâs No.7 program record in this event. Alongside her, track star Suzy Lecoutre took 13th overall, with a time of 16:07.92. This placed Lecoutre in Mizzouâs No.10 all time record in the event.
Womenâs 1,500m Victory
The Tigers dominated the womenâs 1,500m, placing all three runners inside the top 10. Senior Allison Newman led the charge with an impressive first place finish in the race, crossing the line with her new personal best of 4:30.45. Elissa Barnard added a strong sixth-place finish in 4:45.26, while Natalie Barnard capped off the effort by taking eighth with a time of 4:50.09.
Menâs 1500m Success
Kenyan star Elijah Limo led the Tigers with a second place finish in the menâs 1,500m, with a time of 3:54.43. Right behind him, Joshua Allison came through with a clutch performance, taking third overall with his time of 3:55.87. Tyler Freiner and Andrew Hauser did not finish the race, but will hopefully compete soon.
âWe have some superstars in the making, like Monica and Elijah, you know, but as you start to see the depth emerge, like the team starts to really, really be, you know, a bigger factor,â Levermore said.
Womenâs Discus Throw
Ames Burton performed with big strides today, placing fifth overall in the womenâs discus with a mark of 49.06m. Kaitlyn Morningstar took 11th, with her mark of 38.91m.
Menâs Shot Put
Chase Crawford came in eight overall for the menâs shot put, with a mark of 17.30m. alongside him, Sam Albert and took 10th overall with his mark of 16.58m. Clayton Kamp rounded out the Tigers in 11th, with his new personal best throw of 16.45m.
Womenâs High Jump
Marlena Tresnjo came through for the Tigers, grabbing a fourth place finish in the womenâs high jump after clearing 1.70m.
Mizzou Sprinters
Dillon Leacock and Robert Hines did not compete in the menâs 400m or the 100m dash, but they had already made their presence felt earlier in the meet. Both athletes turned in standout performances in the menâs 200m on day one, posting top marks and setting the tone for the Tigersâ sprint squad.
The Tigers head to the Drake Relays Friday, April 24 in Des Moines, Iowa. The meet will be a two-day series, ending Saturday, April 25, and a chance for Mizzou to continue their well earned results in a whole new state.
The team did not get the chance to race here last year, so coming back to Iowa will be a treat, with loads of competition awaiting them.
To read more about Missouriâs Track and Field team, follow @Rock MNation and @SophBleedsLA on twitter/X.
Missouri track & field had strong performances at both the Bryan Clay Invitational and the Big Red Classic, achieving personal bests and setting program history.
The competitions took place at Azusa Pacific University in California and at the Nebraska Outdoor Track in Lincoln, Nebraska.
The distance coach for Missouri track & field is Kyle Levermore.
The SEC fosters a competitive environment that enhances team dynamics and excitement as the track season progresses.

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