Pittsburg, Kan. — This weekend, the Bearcat men's and women's track and field teams return to the Robert W. Plaster Center in Pittsburgh, Kansas for a third time this year to compete in the 11th Annual Russ Jewett Indoor Gorilla Classic. Pitt State will host the two-day meet, spanning February 13 and 14, and welcomes over 1,200 athletes from 49 schools. Following last week's successes, the Bearcats gear up for competition.
 
Last week, Freshman Marcus Jones medaled twice at the NWMS Bearcat Invite. Jones placed third in the men's 200-meter dash with a time of 21.66 seconds. Jones also acquired a 1st place finish in the 400-meter dash, with a national mark of 47.48 seconds. Graduate student Tyler Hart also claimed two personal bests, throwing 15.23 meters in shot put to finish fourth and throwing 16.37 meters in weight throw to finish eighth.
 
Stephanique Dean is coming off a GLVC Athlete of the Week award after an incredible weekend in Maryville. She took first in the women's 400-meter dash with a time of 54.49 which ranks her 7th in the nation. She ran the 200-meter dash to finish the day, securing a time of 23.88. Dean's time in the 200 earned her another first place finish and a third place ranking on a national level. Fellow teammate Laura Dixon claimed a national mark as well with a time of 55.45 in the 400-meter dash. These two have helped the SBU women's track team be ranked #24 in the Nation heading into this week of competition. 

With only two weeks left before conference, the Bearcats aim to secure as many national marks and personal bests as possible. This weekend's events will begin on Friday, February 13 at 2 p.m. Saturday's events begin at noon. To stay up-to-date with the Bearcats' performances at this weekend's meet and all other news related to SBU Athletics visit sbubearcats.com or follow our Instagram (@sbubearcats).