ST. LOUIS — The Missouri Baptist University men's and women's track and field teams split this weekend (Jan 25) to send competitors to the NAIA/JUCO Challenge in Pittsburg, Kan. and the IC Snow Bird Open in Jacksonville Ill. 

Senior Alaina Scott displayed an excellent performance in the pole vault at the NAIA/JUCO Challenge, breaking the meet record in the event and earning the first place spot with a distance of 3.80 m. With this mark, she hit an NAIA 'A' Standard, qualifying her for the national championship. 

Fellow senior Mia Duncan also faired well in Kan. She placed second in the 1000 m, finishing with a time of 3:00.53. Duncan was only one second off of hitting an NAIA 'B' Standard in the event. 

On the men's side, the underclassmen 4x800 relay team comprised of Alex Shields, Brandon Etheridge, Alvin Wible, and Josiah Heras placed fifth out of 13 with a time of 8:00.31. 

In Ill., the Spartans continued to face tough competition. 

Emma Lawson (12.94 m) finished 11th out of 31 in the weight throw. 

Freshmen Xander Dewitt and Jackie Wilson held their own in their events as well. Dewitt finished in fifth place with a time of 9.14 in the 60 m hurdles. In the long jump, Wilson hit 6.37 m, placing him at eighth out of 38. 

MBU will compete next in the two-day Principia Relays in Elsah, Ill. on Friday (Jan. 31) and Saturday (Feb. 2).