Missouri State University

JOPLIN, Mo. -- With the start of February upon the track and field Bears, thoughts turn to the Missouri Valley Conference Championships, Feb. 26-27, and preparation began with a small group of Bears' sprinters and throwers at the Fazoli's/Baymont Inn Invitational hosted by Missouri Southern.

Day Two
Freshman Ariel Butzine was the story of day two. The Lake Villa, Ill., native finished second in the 800-meter run, running in 2:14.52 minutes. The time is the fastest of any Bear this season and the third-fastest of any MVC runner. It is the first time Butzine has run the 800-meter this season after showing promise in the event during the 2010 outdoor campaign.

The three 60-meter dash finalists, Joseph, Peavy and Dull, finished fourth, sixth and ninth, respectively. Joseph finished in 7.80 seconds, while Peavy clocked in at 7.86 and Dull at 7.88.

Day One
Three of the Bears' four sprinters qualified for Saturday's 60-meter dash finals, with Alyx Dull (Fr., Clinton, Mo.) and Pernell Joseph (Fr., Vieux Fort, St. Lucia) taking the top two spots in the preliminary round.

Dull finished in 7.77 seconds, not only the top time of any competitor Friday, but also the top time of any Bear this season. Joseph was close behind at 7.83 seconds. Sydney Peavy (Fr., Kansas City, Mo.) was the final Bear qualifier with a time of 8.02.
In the 200-meter, Kara-Aretha Graham (Sr., London, England) and Reaux Daughtery (Fr., Kansas City, Mo.) both set Missouri State personal bests on their way to finishing 10th and 12th, respectively. Graham ran in 26.66 seconds, while Daughtery clocked in at 26.95.

The Bears are back in action Feb. 11-12 at the Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark. Live results will be available by visiting the track and field schedule page on MissouriStateBears.com.