On Friday and Saturday, the Lions and Lady Lions will test their abilities at Central Missouri State University for the MIAA championships.

Both teams are coming off a good Feb. 22 showing at the University of Oklahoma Invitational.

The Lions traveled to OU without many of the long-distance runners, but took a lot of the athletes who are on the edge of making it to the national championships.

Seth Isringhausen bettered his height to 16-6, which places him second in the nation in Division II. Tom Rutledge, head men’s track coach, thinks Isringhausen is on the bubble to really take off and that he will do well, maybe even a national championship.

B.J. Blocker improved in his 200-meter, 400-meter and hurdle times, and was consistent throughout the day in all of his events. He will serve as a key in the Lions’ chance at attaining the second out of three MIAA championships for this year, first being the cross country title and third being the upcoming outdoor track title.

Friday and Saturday, the team travels to CMSU for the MIAA championships and the biggest team on the mind of Rutledge is the home team.

“It’s going to be a tough two days, but naturally I told my athletes, it’s time for the men to stand up and be counted,” Rutledge said.

At OU, the Lady Lions had their last chance to face non-conference competition in preparation for the MIAA championships.

Danee Jones fared well at the meet, placing sixth in the shot put with a toss of 41-9, and first place in the weight throw with a throw of 58-9. Jones shattered the meet record for the weight throw, which was previously held by Nancy Guillen from Oklahoma State University, who threw 57-5 in 1999.

“I was just out trying to do my best,” Jones said.

Melissa Turner also had a good showing at the meet by vaulting 11-2 and provisionally qualifying for the Division II national championship.

She beat her own record set earlier this season at 10-10.

Mary Garrett set a school record in the 200-meter dash with a time of 25.32, the old record has been the same since the beginning of the program.

Friday and Saturday the team travels to CMSU for the MIAA championships, where it is facing some of the best competition in Division II.

“I think that they’re still a step away from being extremely competitive in this conference, but they are steadily improving,” said Patty Vavra, head women’s track coach.

Vavra said the upperclassmen will have a good chance of being conference champions individually and even make it to the national championships in March in Boston.