After earning the triple crown last year, the Missouri Southern women’s indoor track and field team looks to keep its crown hopes alive, returning a veteran squad.

Southern will be in action tonight at the University of Arkansas Razorback Invitational.

“It’s hard to come off of a year like last year,” said women’s Head Coach Patty Vavra. “Any time you win a triple crown, you’ve got a target on your back. I believe it’s still a goal that we have and we will give it our best effort.”

The team, which consists of seven seniors and 10 juniors, hosted its annual Fazolis/Baymont Inn Invitational Jan. 16-17.

“We had a lot of bright spots and a lot of places where we can get better,” Vavra said. “It was good to see where we are at and to come away with three provisional marks.”

Southern saw the provisionals out of senior Courtney Vie and juniors Erin Steffens and Emilie Miseler.

Vie received her provisional in the weight throw with a throw of 53 feet, three and a half inches.

“Courtney has gotten off to a good start,” Vavra said. “She’s got more big throws in her and I’m looking forward to see what she can do for us.”

Vie finished second, only to former Southern All-American Danee Jones who was competing unattached.

“Danee looked like she had never stopped throwing,” Vavra said. “It was good to see her throwing again. She gave us some competition. It was good to see that she still loves the sport.”

Steffens and Mieseler saw their provisionals in the shot put event. Steffens finished fourth in the event, while Mieseler finished fifth with a distance of 46 feet, 10 and a quarter inches.

“Our throwers are really leading the way right now,” Vavra said. “They are doing a nice job and are looking at a promising season.”

Junior Chanell Lloyd led four Lions in the women’s long jump. Lloyd placed fifth with a distance of 16 feet, seven and a quarter inches. Freshmen Cyarra Prince, Gayla Booth and Lisa Vengels finished eighth, ninth and 12th respectively.

“The freshman are going to take hit early,” Vavra said. “But, they will improve.”

Lloyd also placed fifth in the 60-meter hurdles.

Freshmen Tia Cook and Alex Close were 18th and 24th in the 200 meter dash, while junior Ashley Bunch and senior Kari Fritchie finished seventh and eighth in the 3,000-meter run.

Junior Ciara Lipsey placed second in the pole vault clearing 11 feet, three and a quarter inches.

“Ciara had two great weeks,” Vavra said. “She’s more confident this year and a lot stronger. She’s a tiny bit away from what I hope will be a provisional mark.”

Junior Kimi Shank won the mile invitational with a time of 5:11. Sophomores Olga Bulgurova and Silvia Pineda finished third and fifth in the event.

Senior Kaitlin Wilkinson and Pineda earned sixth and eighth-place finishes in the 800-meter run, while seniors Shannan Borgard and Camille Brown were fourth and 12th in the 600-yard run.

“Our greatest strengths will be our returners,” Vavra said. ” Injuries will create adversity, but we will keep working hard and looking forward. We’re improving and we’re working well as a group.”