Tempel and Dial Set School Records at Redhawk Invitational

Friday, February 20

Cape Girardeau, Mo.

TBA

Murray State

SEMO Invite

Tempel and Dial Set School Records at Redhawk Invitational

2/21/2009 6:00:00 AM | Women's Track and Field

Seniors Shameka Dial and Alicia Tempel had outstanding performances for the Murray State track and field team at the Redhawk Invitational. Both student-athletes set school records in their individual events at the non-scored meet, with Dial also recording an NCAA Indoor Provisional Qualifying mark.

Dial broke her own school record in the weight throw with an NCAA provisional qualifying mark of 61'11.5”. The throw was good for first place and set the Redhawk Invitational record. The throw was over four inches better than the next athlete, SEMO's Ashley Brewer (57'7.75”). Dial also finished fifth in the shot put with a throw that was just a half inch shy of her school record in the event. She threw 45'2.25”.

“Shameka is a phenomenal athlete that has put a lot of work into her events to reach the level of success that she has this year,” said head coach Dereck Chavis. “Her success is a testament to her work ethic.”

Tempel also improved on her own Racer record in the pole vault with a vault of 12'3”. The mark beat the vault she had during the 2007 season of 10”11.75”. Tempel's mark was three inches better than her closest competitors, Whitney Bolton (Memphis) and Audrey Harwood (Southeast Missouri State).

“I am really proud of Alicia,” said Chavis. “I think she would have competed at this level last year is she had not had to deal with injuries. She is seeing the fruits of her labor and it is really nice to see her accomplishing what we knew she was capable of.”

Junior Taylor Crawford took the final top spot for Murray State in the 13-event meet. Crawford crossed the finish line in the 800-meter run in a time of 2:18.82, almost six seconds faster than the second-place finisher.

This was the final meet for the Racers before they head to Charleston, Ill., for the 2008-09 Ohio Valley Conference Indoor Track and Field Championship next weekend. Murray State will start competition Friday, Feb. 27 and conclude Saturday, Feb. 28.

“I think that we accomplished what we needed to at this meet,” Chavis added. “We wanted to fine tune some areas to help us prepare for next week at the OVC tournament.”