Track and Field
Missouri Western Track and Field had 10 top-10 finishes at the Northwest Open in Maryville, Missouri on Friday and Saturday. The Griffons continued to make positive strides, including placing multiple personal bests.
Personal records in the throwing events was the highlight. Tara Bergman broke the program record and placed sixth in the shot put with 12.36 meters, while Kallin Sheppard placed seventh and broke her indoor season personal-best with 12.26 meters. Tanner Butterfield also broke the program record in the weight throw and placed fifth with 16.01 meters. Dallas Thompson also set a one-meter PR in the shot put with 15.24 meters.
The Griffons also placed high within the running events. Derek Dixon placed third overall in the 600-meter run with a time of 1:15.43. The men’s 4×800-meter relay also placed second with a time of 8:10.56. Paige Kvale highlighted the Griffon women’s runners placing fifth in the 1000-meter run with a time of 3:14.53.
The Griffons will travel to Pittsburg, Kansas on Feb. 1 to compete in the Pittsburg State Invitational.
Women’s Basketball
Griffon women brought home a win, 71-53, against Northwest Missouri State in Maryville on Jan. 18. A 75-58 fieldhouse win on Jan. 23 against Fort Hays State snapped No. 10 Fort Hays’ nine-game winning streak and gave the Griffons a 9-0 record at home. Unfortunately, the women lost 60-57 to University of Nebraska-Kearney on Jan. 25. The Griffons season record to date is 14-4 over all and 6-3 in the conference. Head coach is Candi Whitaker.
Next up are two away games – 5:30 p.m. Jan. 30 at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond and 1:30 p.m. Feb. 1 against Newman University in Wichita, Kansas. The Griffons return home for two on Feb. 5 and 8.
Men’s Basketball
The men had two wins and one loss in their last three games. They lost to No. 2 Northwest Missouri State 81-68 on Jan. 18 and beat Fort Hays State 79-63 on Jan. 23 and University of Nebraska-Kearney 81-75 on Jan. 25. The men’s record stands at 9-11 overall and 5-4 in the conference. Men’s head coach is Sundance Wicks.
Next up games against University of Central Oklahoma at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 30 in Edmond and a 3:30 p.m. matchup Feb. 1 against Newman University in Wichita, Kansas. That is followed by two home games Feb. 5 and 8.