Track & Field Athletes Take Down 3 National Records

Maryville, MO

The men's and women's Track & Field teams took to Northwest Missouri State University to compete in the Bearcat Invite over the weekend. The meet was one to remember, three different Panther atheltes took down National Records from their home country. Waisale Inoke took down the indoor Heptathlon National record with 4,410 points which ranks him #12 in the NJCAA. Following that performance Vaioleta Luka took down Tuvalu National record in the 60m dash with personal best time of 8.43s, she followed that performance up tying her own National record in the 200m dash. Capping off the string of National records Rusiate Matai cleared 2.10m to set an Indoor National record as well as an all conditions National record for Fiji, being the highest official jump in competition from a Fijian athlete. Rusi ranks #2 in the NJCAA with his performance.

The team had a whole slew of personal best, every athlete men and women in the 600m and 800m events set personal best. With Melania Turaga taking down the women's 800m school record in 2:25.78. The men's and women's DMR teams both set season best times with the women currently ranking #16 in the NJCAA. Based on composite time the women's 4x800m relay also moved into the top 16 in the National rankings with the men setting just outside the top 16.

"This had to be one of the greatest meets we have ever had, especially at this point in the season. Our team progression continues to get better every week and the athletes are becoming more and more motivated. Each time they step on the track they are proving the doubters wrong and really representing themselves and their team well," said Head Track & Field Coach Trey Bruton.Print Friendly Version