After winning seven events in last week’s meet, the Missouri Southern women’s track and field team will enter tonight’s MIAA Indoor Track and Field Championships looking for more key performances.

“We’ll have events that we’ll do very well in,” said Women’s Head Coach Patty Vavra. “But, we’re also going to need some of the young people to step up. You’re going to see some great performances. I would expect nothing less out of this group of ladies.”

The MIAA conference meet will be held at University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg.

“We’re going to show up strong,” Vavra said. “The ladies will show a great deal of effort.

Last week, the team competed in the MSSU Invitational.

“We had a lot of improvement,” Vavra said. “That’s exactly what we need to see going to the conference meet.”

Freshman Nicole Green won the shot put with a distance of 44 feet, five and half inches, picking up a provisional mark for the national meet.

Junior Erin Steffens finished second with a distance of 42 feet, nine and three quarters inches.

Junior Emlie Mieseler won the weight throw, also earning a provisional mark. Mieseler’s throw was a distance of 56 feet, two and half inches.

“Emilie is having an outstanding year,” Vavra said. “She had a big throw, but at the same time I think she has a bigger throw in her.”

Senior Courtney Vie finished second.

Junior Ciara Lipsey won the pole vault with a vault of 12 feet, one half inch. The height earned Lipsey a provisional into the national meet.

“It’s great to see her vaulting well,” Vavra said. “She’s going to need a big vault this weekend.”

For the first time in her career, senior Kara Eckard competed in the 800-meter run, winning the event with a time of 2:21.

“Kara ran this event as more of a speed workout,” Vavra said. “It should help her going into the conference meet.”

Junior Ashley Bunch won the 3,000-meter run with a time of 10:53. Senior Kari Fritchie finished second.

“Ashley was hurting during the cross country season,” Vavra said. “She’s trying to get her fitness level back. Look for her to be stronger in the outdoor season.”

Senior Shannan Borgard won the 600-meter run, while freshman

Lisa Vengels won the high jump. Vengels jumped a height of 5 feet, three and a quarter inches.

The women are set to defend their title this weekend, after earning last year’s coveted triple crown.

“This is the most important meet of the season outside of the national meet,” Vavra said. “It’s all about pride for your school.”