Saturday, May 14, 2011

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - Sophomore Dan Karys (Bartlett, Ill.) leapt a personal best in the long jump to earn second place at the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Track And Field Championship on Saturday (May 14).

Karys had the best jump in the preliminary rounds, but was bested by Tyler Simmons of Wichita State in the finals. Karys set his personal best with his leap of 23 feet 11.5 inches during a cold rain at the Mark Messersmith Track and Field Complex.

Senior Colin Coomer (Overland Park, Kan.) was fifth in the steeplechase finishing in 9:37.24, while freshman Ryan Flynn (Bettendorf, Iowa) registered an seventh-place showing clocking in at 9:37.72.

Senior Brandon Lewis (Plymouth, Minn.) and junior Matt Jurysta (Oshawa, Ontario) both advanced to the 800-meter finals. Lewis crossed the line in 1:53.94, while Jurysta was clocked in 1:53.46.

Freshman Brett Wright (Longwood, Colo.) snared the final spot in the 400-meter finals with his time of 50.06.

"All we ask is that our kids give us us the best they have and leave it all on the track, in the ring or on the runway," commented head coach Natasha Brown.

The Bulldogs return to action tomorrow for the final day of the State Farm MVC Outdoor Track And Field Championship with the first event slated for a noon start.