SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Two-time St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champion Jessie Kuykendall started her bid for her third SLIAC championship on a strong note on Friday, overcoming aslight drizzle to finish second at the University of Illinois-Springfield's Prairie Star Invitational in Springfield. Kuykendall finished just 10.3 seconds behind UIS freshman Taryn Christy (15:40.64.) with a time of 15:50.26.
Illinois-Springfield won the meet with a score of 26 points.
Also placing for the Blue Jays were junior Charley Blair (32nd, 19:18.84), followed by junior Kelsey Newland (44th, 20:57.60).
Freshman Sam Moore led the way for the Blue Jays on the men's side, finishing 47th with a time of 24:55.66, followed by sophomores Joseph Labitska (49th, 25:24.88), and Brian Sellenriek (62nd, 31:55.54).
Host school UIS captured the men's side with 15 points, claiming the first five spots in the standings. Sophomore Tyler Pasley led the way for the Prairie Stars with a time of 20:41.78. Maryville finished second with 52 points.
The Blue Jays return to action on September 14 when Westminster travels to Joplin for the Missouri Southern Stampede.
