Rolla, Mo. – The SBU women's track and field team began their outdoor season this weekend as they competed in the Missouri S&T invite. The Bearcats took 4^th place out of 18 teams at the meet.
 
Two Bearcats had a spectacular outdoor debut at the S&T invite. Junior Raquel Valdez kicked off her Bearcat career breaking a school record in the discus throw with a distance of 39.58. She placed 6^th in that event and placed 2^nd in the hammer throw. Senior Alexis Barber helped the Bearcats sweep the 800- and 1500-meter events at the S&T invite taking 1^st place in both. Each times were only seconds short of a National Qualifying mark.
 
Skyler Shepherd teamed up with Valdez contributing to the Bearcat points total placing in two different throwing events. Shepherd took 6^th in shot put and 5^th in the hammer throw. Lily Simmons took 1^st place in the heptathlon with 4049 total points. Tessa Valdivia took 3^rd in the 1500-meter just a few seconds behind her teammate Barber. Junior Paige Bradley also had a 5^th place finish in the high jump.
 
The Bearcats will return next weekend as they compete at the annual Bearcat invite. The meet will take place on Friday, March 31^st and Saturday, April 1^st at Plaster Stadium in Bolivar.