Mizzou shines coast-to-coast with big weekend results

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.

“One 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 that’s something that the SEC breeds naturally,” distance coach Kyle Levermore said.

Bryan Clay Finished With High Remarks

Women’s 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 women’s 5,000m with a time of 15:58.01. This result was Mizzou’s 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 Mizzou’s No.10 all time record in the event.

Big Red Classic Stellar Performance on Day Two

Women’s 1,500m Victory

The Tigers dominated the women’s 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.

Men’s 1500m Success

Kenyan star Elijah Limo led the Tigers with a second place finish in the men’s 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.

“We 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,” Levermore said.

Women’s Discus Throw

Ames Burton performed with big strides today, placing fifth overall in the women’s discus with a mark of 49.06m. Kaitlyn Morningstar took 11th, with her mark of 38.91m.

Men’s Shot Put

Chase Crawford came in eight overall for the men’s 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.

Women’s High Jump

Marlena Tresnjo came through for the Tigers, grabbing a fourth place finish in the women’s high jump after clearing 1.70m.

Mizzou Sprinters

Dillon Leacock and Robert Hines did not compete in the men’s 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 men’s 200m on day one, posting top marks and setting the tone for the Tigers’ sprint squad.

What’s Next

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 Missouri’s Track and Field team, follow @Rock MNation and @SophBleedsLA on twitter/X.