PITTSBURG, Kan. – An automatic qualification for the national meet and a newcomer's national record highlighted performances for the Texas A&M University-Commerce track and field teams at the Pittsburg State Invitational on Saturday.
 
"This week was a big step in the right direction," said Lion head track and field coach George Pincock. "Most who competed improved on their marks from last week.  We also had the chance to see several athletes compete for the first time this year.  Anytime you have automatic qualifying marks, provisional marks, national records, and school records it is something to be proud of.
 
"At the same time today wasn't perfect and we had things that didn't go according to plan. We're aware of that and will use those things to motivate us for the future."
 
Rashard Clark (Los Angeles, Calif.) won the 400 meter dash with a time of 47.29 seconds, which is an automatic qualifying mark and ties for the third-fastest time in Division II this season. The senior also notched a provisional qualifying time in the 200 meter dash at 21.51 seconds, which is the quickest time in the Lone Star Conference this season.
 
Newcomer Josh Boateng (St. George's, Grenada) set a school record in the men's shot put at 17.41m (57-1 ½), earning a provisional qualifying mark and establishing a national record for Grenada. His throw is the second-longest in the LSC this season.
 
Minna Svaerd (Karlstad, Sweden) was part of three provisional marks on the women's side. She cleared 3.76m (12-4) in the pole vault, then ran the 400 meter dash in 56.21 seconds. Both of those marks are the best in the LSC this season. She closed out the meet in the 4x400 meter relay at 3:50.49 with Atiana Alexander (San Antonio – Northside Taft), Ro'Nisha Simpson (Tatum), and Joy Spann (Frisco – Lone Star).
 
In the throwing ring, Hailey Wanoreck (Beaumont – Hamshire-Fannett) earned provisional qualifying marks in the weight throw at 17.49m (57-4 ¾) and shot put at 13.71m (44-11 ¾).
 
Eboni Coby (Lancaster) improved her provisional qualifying mark in the women's 60 meter dash to 7.65 seconds. The women's distance medley relay team of Maiya Collins (Rockwall), Taylor Jones (Garland – North Garland), Shanecia Baker (Tyler – Chapel Hill), and Brandi Stalder (Sanger) set a school record at 12:48.24 - nearly 14 seconds quicker than the previous record with the fastest time in the LSC this year.
 
The Lions return to action on Friday and Saturday (February 1 and 2) in Lubbock at the Texas Tech Open, one of two meets remaining before the Lone Star Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships.
 
AUTOMATIC QUALIFYING MARKS
Men's 400m Dash – Rashard Clark – 47.29
 
PROVISIONAL QUALIFYING MARKS
Women's Weight Throw – Hailey Wanoreck – 17.49m (57-4 ¾)
Women's Shot Put – Hailey Wanoreck – 13.71m (44-11 ¾)
Men's Shot Put – Josh Boateng – 17.41m (57-1 ½)
Women's Pole Vault – Minna Svaerd – 3.76m (12-4)
Men's Pole Vault – Hudson Hall – 4.74m (15-6 ½)
Women's 60m Dash – Eboni Coby – 7.65
Men's 200m Dash – Rashard Clark – 21.51
Women's 400m Dash – Minna Svaerd – 56.21
Women's 4x400m Relay – Atiana Alexander, Ro'Nisha Simpson, Joy Spann, Minna Svaerd – 3:50.49
 
SCHOOL RECORDS
Men's Shot Put – Josh Boateng – 17.41m (57-1 ½)
Women's Distance Medley Relay - Maiya Collins, Taylor Jones, Shanecia Baker, Brandi Stalder - 12:48.24