On April 14, the Missouri Southern women’s outdoor track and field team competed in the University of Tulsa Invitational.

While at the meet, the Lions were able to improve on the number of provisionals they currently have.

Junior thrower Danee Jones improved her standing nationally in the hammer throw, and sophomore jumper Sara Mueller gained a provisional in the high jump.

Jones also finished first in the shot put and second in the discus throw and was awarded her second MIAA women’s track and field athlete of the week for the outdoor season.

Senior hurdler Mary Still had her second best time of the season in the 400-meter hurdles, and senior distance runner Jen Noelken had her second best time of the season in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.

Mueller also had her best height of the season in the high jump, beating her old mark by just less than two inches.

The next meet the Lions will compete in will be the Bill Williams Invitational on Saturday. Then Southern will travel to the MIAA Heptathlon in Kirksville, Mo.

After those meets, the Lions face off against their conference foes in the MIAA Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championship meet.

The Lions are confident about their chances of bringing home another championship to pair with the indoor one they won this year.

“It just comes down to that day and putting everything together at once,” Still said. “I think that we’ll be able to put together a pretty good package for conference.”

“We’re just as strong as we were during the indoor season,” said Shonna Sherrell, senior hurdler.

The Lions also think this is the most difficult point in the year for them, with finals and graduation coming up soon, along with the conference championship meet.

“It’s really hard this time of year to improve,” Still said. “It’s a hard time in the season because everybody is tired and seeing the big improvements, but we are still working hard.”

The conference championship meet will be held May 8-9 in Maryville, Mo.