The Lindenwood track and field teams opened up their 2017 seasons on Friday at the Central Missouri Invitational. Lindenwood won three individual events on the day, and both teams finished fourth overall.
 
Michelle Kyle had the first win of the season for the track and field program by taking first in the weight throw. Her second throw was 17.43m, which won the event by 1.08m. Also on the women's side, Kendra Smith won the triple jump event. Smith took the lead after her second jump of 11.58m, and that was good enough to win. In her final jump, she added to the total by 0.02m for a NCAA provisional mark of 11.60m.
 
The highlight for the men's team came in the 3,000m where Lindenwood swept the first four spots. Omar Es Salmouny was first with a time of 8:45.52. Ero Doce and Colin Cernik were less than three seconds behind, and Austin Crowe came in fourth with a time of 8:57.38.
 
Other highlights at the meet for Lindenwood included runner-up finishes in two events for Anna Tyan. She was second in the high jump and triple jump. Allison Hinson took the bronze medal in the shot put.
 
On the men's side, Bumnene Ndebele was second in the triple jump. Robert Strong had two top-four finishes, coming in second in the 200m and fourth in the 60m.
 
Lindenwood's men's team finished the event with 61 points, which placed them fourth out of seven NCAA Division II programs. The women's team collected 62 points, which was also in the middle of the pack at the event.
 
The track and field programs will be in action next week at the Principia Relays. Select throwers will also attend the Pittsburg State Invitational.