The Missouri Southern men’s track & field team remained in the top 10 as the women’s track & field team sit in the 17th spot following another successful meet at Missouri S&T and the University of Arkansas.

The men are 8th in the latest USTFCCCA polls, dropping two spots from last week’s poll. 

Competing in Arkansas and leading the way for the men was senior Jeff Fraley. Fraley, MIAA Track Athlete of the Week for the fourth time in the last five weeks, competed in the 100m and 200m races. Fraley finished 8th in the 100m with his best finish coming in the 200m race where he finished 5th with an automatic qualifying time of 20.68, ranking fourth nationally.

Fraley has an automatic qualifying in both the 100m and 200m races as he ranks third nationally in the 100m and fifth in the 200m.

In Missouri S&T, senior Jayce Thomas won the high jump event with a height of 6-09.00 Freshman Cody Vogt followed up his first high jump victory last week with a second place finish this week. Freshman Trevon Payne has his best finish of the outdoor season with a fourth place height of 6-05.

Thomas also claimed a victory in the triple jump event.

Senior Desmond Williams placed third in the long jump event with a distance of 23-07.25 and placed fourth in the 400m. 

For the ladies, senior pole vaulter Melanie Bower and freshman pole vaulter Emily Presley continue to exchange record breaking performances.

After Presley set the school record of 13-00.25 last week, Bower won the pole vault event this week with a height of 13-05.00. Bower now sits atop the MIAA and ranks second nationally with that mark. Presley didn’t break the school record but broke her personal best with a height of 13-03.00. 

Both Bower and Presley have punched their tickets to nationals. Bower ranks second and Presley ranks third in the pole vault event.

Senior Kaylee Morgan won the long jump event with a distance of 19-07.50. Morgan ranks third in the long jump.

Senior Brittani Reagan is ninth in the triple jump while, senior Emily Harris is ranked 15th in the 5k. 

Freshman Desirea Buerge finished third in the discus, while junior Sierra Gray snagged second place in the 3k steeple.

There will be several Southern athletes competing in the Drake Relays in Des Moines, IA. today and tomorrow. For the men will be competing Kiprop along with the men’s 4x100m and 4x400m relay teams. Harris will be the only lady for the Lions competing.

The rest of  the team will be competing at Fred G. Hughes Stadium for the first time today as the Lions will be hosting the Bill Williams/Bob Laptad Invitational. 

This will be the final tune up before nationals on May 6-8 in Maryville, Mo.