The Tigers are ready to roar as they take the track at the Show-Me Showdown this Friday, Jan. 16, at the Hearnes Center in Columbia, Mo.
Last Year’s Show-Me Showdown
Last year, Petra Gomez placed second at the 2025 Show-Me Showdown, recording 18.46 meters in the weight throw. Alongside her, Delilah Pippen also set a personal best in the event, while Marlena Tresno cleared 1.78 meters in the high jump.
In the distance events, Ryder James posted a personal best in the mile. Close behind him, Tyler Freiner also ran a personal best as
the duo helped secure nine of the top finishing positions in the race.
On the sprinting side, Robert Hines performed at a high level, setting personal bests in both the 60 meters and the 200 meters.
Finally, an old favorite, Perez Snyman, delivered a standout performance by tying the program record in the high jump.
First Meet Results and Thoughts
During last week’s Alexis Jarrett Invitational, the Tigers put on a respectable performance. Tresno highlighted the meet by winning the high jump in her first competition in more than a year after returning from injury.
“Being a new coach to this program and kind of having an understanding of the context of what she’s had to do to get back into competitive form. Very happy for her, and she definitely is working to meet not only my expectations, but her own expectations,” assistant jumps coach TJ Harris said.
Alongside Tresno, Hines was able to capture two first-place wins in the sprints, the 60m dash at 6.87 seconds, as well as the 200m race with a time of 21.82 seconds. Teammate Dillon Leacock finished second in the 60m hurdles, and Sofia Wydra finished sixth in the long jump.
“On the sprint side of things, Robert Hines being able to open his final season with wins in the 60 and the 200, that’s good. You know, full transparency, he knows that he can perform at a higher level, but to open up that way at home, you know, last season as a Tiger, was pretty cool,” Harris said.
Weight thrower Garik Pozecki placed second with a throw of 21.62, Clayton Kamp placed third and TJ Wiggins claimed fourth. The pole vaulters were able to place in the top three of all vaulters, with Anna Vedral winning the event for the Tigers, Anna Ferguson in second and Allison Green in third.
Friday Meet Expectations
Looking ahead to a meet filled with varied competition and well-prepared athletes from across the region, Harris stressed on the importance of progress.
“In the context of getting better in the high jump, if it’s a centimeter better, it’s better, right? So, as long as we do that, I’m happy as a coach. Same thing on the sprint side, you know, if we run slightly faster, it’s better,” Harris said.
Distance Runners Are Back, as Well as a Newcomer?!
Several distance runners are transitioning from the cross-country season and are set to compete on Friday, alongside transfers and other Tiger athletes. Additionally, newly signed pole vaulter Makenna Estes will make her debut for the Tigers as a semester transfer.
“I think that we’ll get a chance to see some of the distance runners open up, and it will kind of be good to see what they bring to the table. I don’t know exactly who all, I just know that we’ll have more distance runners getting started, and then on the pole vault side, we have a newcomer that is opening her season,” Harris said.
Moving Forward… What’s Next?
Harris has high hopes for his high jumper, Tresno, with goals of getting her “to compete at the NCAA championships.”
With plenty of season left to play, the goal is for them to “understand the challenges that come along with just that improvement and getting better,” Harris said.
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