COLUMBIA, Mo. The Virginia men’s and women’s track and field teams lead the Mizzou track and field teams following the opening day of the Virginia-Missouri Jefferson Dual. The Cavalier women, ahead 50-44, compiled five first place finishes, hit three NCAA regional qualifying marks and set a meet record, while the Cavalier men lead the Missouri men, 48-47, winning five events and qualifying four for the NCAA East Regionals.

The women collected eight points in the steeplechase, javelin and discus, led by junior Stephanie Garcia’s first-place steeplechase finish in 10:26.64, junior Meghan Briggs’ 163’ 11” throw in the javelin both regional qualifying marks - and senior Caitlin Kelly’s 152’2 first-place throw in the discus. Junior Samantha Stafford finished runner-up in the steeplechase 10:48.21 a regionally qualifying mark while freshman Tara Karin threw 134” 10” in the javelin and freshman Erin Wykoff tossed 150’ 8” in the discus, all for runner-up honors.

Sophomore Rashawnda James won the triple jump with a leap of 39’ 2.5” and junior Katie Darraugh won the pole vault, clearing 11’ 11.75 setting a new meet record.

For the men, senior Yemi Ayeni, sophomore Andrew Fahringer and freshman Lance Roller each won their events in a regional qualifying mark. Ayeni heaved 190’ 8” in the discus, while Fahringer tossed 208’ 3” in the javelin. Roller took first in the 800m, finishing in 1:50.38.

Sophomore All-American Meikle Paschal won the 200m in 21.83 and sophomore Marcus Robinson took top honors in the triple jump, leaping 48’ 7.5”. Junior Steve Finley hit the regional mark in the steeplechase, finishing second in 9:04.13.

The Cavaliers will return to action at 11:30 tomorrow to conclude the scored competition.