Athletics Headlines: Track & Field Heads to Nationals

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March 8, 2007

Track & Field Heads to Nationals

The Missouri Baptist University Track and Field Team will compete this week at the NAIA Indoor Track and Field National Championships in Johnson City, Tennessee with a little less worry on their minds thanks to the generous donation of Mr. John E. Hanna and Subaru O’Fallon. The MBU Track Program plays host to numerous events throughout the year, thus, forcing the athletes and coaches to fundraise to offset costs of these highly competitive meets. That’s where Mr. Hanna and Subaru O’Fallon came in. Mr. Hanna’s generous support to the MBU Track Program enabled the coaches and athletes to concentrate on what they do best at the National Championships…WIN! Mr. Hanna presented the check to the team with the wishes that they go compete hard and have fun.

The Spartans head to nationals with one of the largest teams in the nation: 13 entries in the women’s events and 14 in the men’s events. Leading the way for the women is 11 time national champion Nickesha Anderson. Anderson will be competing in the 60 meter dash, the 200 meter dash, and the 4x400 meter relay. Joining Anderson at nationals will be Rachel Baldwin in the 60 meter dash and the 4x400, Meagan Hudson in the mile and 5000 meter run, Coreen Ellis in the 600 meter dash and 4x400, Chadiola Chumney in the 400 meter dash and the 4x400, Jackie Fleddermann in the high jump and the pentathlon, Michelle Jackson in the shot put, Aundrea Taylor in the pentathlon, and LaShayla Bell in the 60 meter hurdles

The MBU men travel to eastern Tennessee with a larger more experienced team than last year’s inaugural season. The men’s competition will be led off by Gentell Sykes in the Heptathlon along with the 4x800 meter relay and the Distance Medley relay teams. The men have several All Americans looking to further develop their resume: Jamaury Harris in the long and triple jump, Denis-Bull Olinga in the 5000 meter run, Vincent Morogah in the 3000 meter run and Distance Medley, Duran Brown in the 60 meter dash, and Gentell Sykes in the 60 meter hurdles and the heptathlon. They will be joined by Kenneth Kibii and Steve Bender in the 1000 meter run, Distance Medley, and the 4x800, Kenton Taylor in the 60 meter hurdles, DeMarcus Bass in the high jump, Oscar Emegano in the long jump, and Anthony Freeman in both relays.

You can follow the progress of your NAIA defending National Champions online at www.naia.org.