Joplin, Mo. — The Missouri Southern men’s and women’s track and field teams continue their trend of holding up spots in the national rankings as the men are 8th this week and the women are 17th. 
The Southern men were sixth last week, but stay in the top ten for the second-straight week. Leading the way for the men is senior Jeff Fraley as he is in the top ten of three different sprints. He has qualified for nationals already in the 100m, ranking third, as well as the 200m where he is ranked fifth. Fraley is also ranked ninth in the 400m.
Vincent Kiprop is ranked third nationally in the 10k, while Jayce Thomas is ranked fifth in the decathlon, eighth in the triple jump and ninth in the high jump. The 4x100m relay team ofWarren Leak, Keson Payton, Desmond Williams and Fraley currently ranks 12th nationally.
Morgan Hold ranks 18th in the pole vault, while Williams is 19th in the long jump. Tyler Hovey is 12th in the discus, while Daniel Hernandez is eighth in the javelin.
The Southern men are the top ranked team in the central region.
The women are ranked 17th nationally and are ranked seventh in the central region. The Lions have five individuals ranked in the top 15 of their respective events. Melanie Bowerand Emily Presley are ranked second and third, respectively, in the pole vault. Kaylee Morgan is ranked third in the long jump, while Brittani Reagan is ninth in the triple jump.Emily Harris is ranked 15th in the 5k.
The Lions will be in action in two different locations this week. Kiprop, the men’s 4x100m and 4x400m relay teams, as well as Harris will be at the Drake Relays, while the rest of the team will be competing at home in the Bill Williams/Bob Laptad Invitational this Friday.