Cedar Falls, Iowa ? Junior thrower Jennifer Jenkins (Calumet City, Ill./Thornwood) became just the second NCAA provisional qualifier in Bradley track and field history Friday when she launched a school-record toss of 62'07.75” in the weight throw at the 2006 State Farm MVC Indoor Track and Field Championships at the UNI Dome in Cedar Falls, Iowa on the campus of the University of Northern Iowa.
Jenkins joins former Bradley standout Mary Ellen Hill as the only athletes in the program's history to record NCAA provisional marks. The throw puts Jenkins among the nation's top 30 throwers in 2006.
Head coach David Beauchem credited Jenkins for lifting her teammate's performance level.
“Jennifer set the tone for the meet, the tone for our whole day with that first throw. All credit goes to her for the preparation she put in this week while fighting illness. Each meet she's progressed and today she came out and really nailed that first one. It was one of the great performances in the history of our program and can't be overstated.”
“The level of that throw was remarkable. Her progression from her freshman season to now is tremendous.”
Jenkins' throw paved the way for personal-best performances throughout the Bradley roster as six of the 10 athletes competing on Friday posted best-times.
Junior Maya Monitto-Webber (Iowa City, Iowa/Iowa City) lowered her best time in the 60 meter hurdles for the second straight week as she clocked in at 9.45 in preliminary heat No. 3. In preliminary heat No. 2 of the 60 meter hurdles, freshman Amanda Harms (Wheaton, Ill./Warrenville South) clocked her best time of her career in 10.05.
Sophomore Julia Schurr (Canal Winchester, Ohio/Bloom-Carroll) and freshman Stephanie Luce (Burr Ridge, Ill./Lyons Township) finished back-to-back in posting season-bests in the 400 meter dash. Luce posted her season-best for the second consecutive week.
Freshman Jessica Puckett (Romeoville, Ill./Romeoville) was the fourth Braves to post a best time in consecutive weeks as she turned in a 27.84 in the 200 meters.
In all, Beauchem was pleased with his team's performance.
“We talked about setting our sights on the big meets. Just about everyone that competed has a season best. For the indoor season, we wanted to have our best performance at the biggest meet and we go that today. Hopefully, we can carry those types of performances into tomorrow.”
Bradley resumes action at the 2006 State Farm MVC Indoor Track and Field Championships on Saturday at the UNI-Dome.
