ELSAH, Ill. – At the American Midwest Conference Championship on Saturday (Feb. 15), the Missouri Baptist University men's and women's track and field teams earned third place out of nine with their impressive performances in 31 events – many of which the Spartans finished first.  

Finishing first in the women's pole vault for the fourth time this season, Alaina Scott hit 3.40 meters. On the men's side, sophomore Mathew Wilkerson hit 3.60 m, putting him in second place.

Sophomore Angela Ward cruised past the competition in the women's 400 m dash, finishing in first place with a time of 1:01.50. Fellow sophomore Elias Neely snatched up a second-place title in the men's 400 m, finishing with a time of 51.35.

Both MBU 4 x 400 relay teams worked well together, with the women's team finishing in first and the men's finishing in second. Mia Duncan, Julianne Hansen, Adrienne Rockette, and Ward ran for the women and recorded a time of 4:15.79. The men's team consisted of Xander Dewitt, Josiah Heras, Lucas Sa, and Neely, and their time was 3:29.48.

Freshman Cortlen Johnson took first in the men's 60 m dash, finishing with an excellent time of 6.92. Fellow freshman Shaun Roberts followed close behind, recording a time of 6.93.

Five Spartans finished second in their events.

Hitting an NAIA 'B' standard in the women's 1000 m at the Steve Miller Invitational on Feb. 7, Duncan performed well again in this event, taking second place with a time of 3:11.99. She also competed in the mile run and she finished in second as well. Her time was 5:19.77.

Sophomore Josiah Heras earned second in the 600 m, running the event in 1:24.72. Freshman Julia Whorton took her second place finish the 5000 m (19:36.63). Alex Shields raced to second place with a time of 2:01.98 in the 800 m.

Other notable performances:
M High jump / Brandin Dodd  / 1.88m / 3^rd
M Long jump / Jackie Wilson  / 6.47m / 3^rd
M Shot put / Jayden Roling  / 14.43m/ 3^rd
M 60 m hurdles / Sam Woodson / 9.19 / 3^rd             
W Distance medley / Camrin Watkins / Lizzie Burgan / 14:11.44 / 3^rd
M Mile / Grant Patten / 4:33.03 / 4^th
M 800 m / Brandon Etheridge / 2:05.01 / 4^th
M 1000 m  / Alvin Wible / 2:40.93 / 4^th
W 600 m / Lizzie Burgan / 1:52.28 / 4^th
W 60 m HH / Alaina Scott / 9.75 / 4^th
W Weight throw / Emma Lawson / 13.70m / 4^th

The AMC All-Conference team consists of the top three finishers in each event. Therefore, MBU produced 21 all-conference team members.

Scott and Patten were also named Missouri Baptist's AMC Champions of Character.

The Spartans who have hit NAIA standards throughout the indoor season will compete in the NAIA Indoor Track and Field Championships starting on Thursday (Feb. 27).