Missouri State University

LAWRENCE, Kan. - A select group of Missouri State track and field distance runners took part in Thursday's 83^rd edition of the Kansas Relays, with Mari-Jean Vance and Andrea Marshall bringing home top-ten finishes.

Competing in the 10,000-meter run for the first time this season, the duo earned a pair of Missouri State personal bests. Vance (Jr., Columbia, Mo.) placed seventh with a time of 39:05.19, while Marshall (So., Fenton, Mo.) ran a 39:19.07 and finished 10^th.

Nicole Thate's 14^th-place finish in the unseeded 1,500-meter run rounded out the Bears' participation. The Darien, Ill., native put up a time of 4:58.54, her MSU personal best.

The full squad is back in action next weekend at the Drake Relays and the Redbird Spring Invitational. The Relays will run Thursday April 22-24, while the Invitational is a one-day meet set for that Saturday.