The University of Missouri track and field team traveled to the University of Mississippi for the Joe Walker Invitational on April 4-5. Emanuele Bellanova and Brooke Sawatzky headlined the performances for the Tigers in the men’s and women’s heptathlon. Both Bellanova and Sawatzky set multiple personal records on the weekend.

On the first day of competition, Bellanova’s high-level performance as just a freshman had him sitting in third place. To start the day, Bellanova set two personal bests. This included finishing with a time of 10.95 in the 100-meter dash. Bellanova’s strong start to the meet continued in the 400-meter dash, where he ran a 51.95, which earned him another personal best and No. 11 overall in the category.

The personal bests continued in the women’s heptathlon with multiple strong performances from Sawatzky. Sawatsky set a personal best in the shot put with a 9.8-meter throw. Her record earned her 12th place in the category. Her records did not stop there. On the second day of competition, she set another record in the javelin throw with a throw of 25.33 meters, earning her 14th place.

Other notable performances for the Tigers included junior jumper Anna Verdal. Verdal recorded a solid performance in the women’s pole vault, placing No. 18 and reaching 3.63 meters.

Looking into the final month of regular season meets before the Southeastern Conference Championships, the Tigers are very busy. The Tigers traveled to Fayetteville, Arkansas on Friday, April 11 for the John McDonnell Invite and competed in the Cougar Classic on Saturday, April 12 in Edwardsville, Illinois.

Edited by Colin Simmons l csimmons@themaneater.com
Copy edited by Natalie Kientzy | nkientzy@themaneater.com
Edited by Annie Goodykoontz | agoodykoontz@themaneater.com