May 23 2008
Leander & Jeremiah Shine, Again!

1. The Missouri State track and field team wrapped up the State Farm / Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Championships Sunday at Marks Field in Terre Haute, Indiana. The Bears were able to amass 116 points, which was good for fourth place behind Southern Illinois (181.5), Wichita State (171.5) and Indiana State (128).

Leander Ernest added two conference titles to her resume on the day. She won the 400m run final with a NCAA Regional Qualifying standard time of 54.60 seconds. Ernest beat out teammate Yaneika Malcolm, who finished second at 55.76 seconds.

Ernest was also a member of the title-winning 4x400m relay team. Along with Corteneé Boulard, Malcolm and Rashida Allen, the team set the Marks Field record, running a time of 3:42.34.

Ernest also competed in the 200m dash final and the 4x100m relay. She placed fifth in the 200m with a time of 24.64 seconds. Rashida Allen placed just ahead of Ernest in fourth, running 24.57 seconds. With Yaneika Malcolm and Shantel Llewellyn they ran 46.76 seconds in the 4x100m relay to place fourth. The time tied a season best for the event.

During the meet, Missouri State held its commencement exercise, during the course of which Leander, a graduate of Corinth Secondary in St Lucia, was awarded her university degree.

2. Jeremiah James is a double champion, the St Lucian jumper winnning twice for the University of Wyoming at the Mountain West Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships. A sophomore at UW, Jerry, a St Mary's College alumnus, secured easy wins in Long Jump and Triple Jump, and qualified for the National Collgiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Regional Championships, 29-30 May.

In a home meet at the Louis S. Madrid Sports Complex, Jerry had three trials in Long Jump, clearing 7.57m, a personal record and stadium record, on his first. It was the fourth best effort in UW history and confirmed Jerry's fourth long jump championship in as many chances as a Cowboy.

It was even more straightforward in Triple Jump, Jerry taking one trial, clearing 15.47m, a personal record, fifth best in school history, and good for his sixth career MWC Championship. Jerry is one of 14 UW student athletes, including seven Cowboys, qualified for the regional meet.

"We have the most qualifiers in school history and I am really proud of how the kids stepped up and performed this year," said head coach Don Yentes.