By Jared Fields, Managing Editor

The Wildcats left Oklahoma with some bettered qualifying marks for the indoor national meet in Boston on March 9-10.

In the women’s shot put, Liga Klavina improved her provisional mark with a throw of 46-08.25.

In the 800 meters, Venessa Whittle improved to a time of 2:14.72, but headcoach Hood said time will drop a little though because of the kind of track at Oklahoma.

“Her time will drop about a half second because it was a flat track,” Hood said.

Freshman Elizabeth Buyse put herself in contention to provisionally qualify in the pole vault when she cleared 11-10.50. The mark puts her just outside of 12th in the nation, which Hood said could get her to nationals.

“Usually they take a minimum of 12 to nationals,” Hood said. “But it depends on the event.”

In the 60 meters, Kim Prather’s time of 7.62 improved her provisional time. Sylvester Williamson earned a provisional mark in the men’s 60 meters with a time of 6.82.

Also on the men’s side, Kyle Dennis improved his pole vault mark with a height of 16-08.75 to gain an automatic spot to the national meet.

Roger Morris jumped 6-09.00 in the high jump to get close to qualifying for nationals. Like Buyse, Morris’ jump put him close to the top 12 in the nation.

Hood also had some athletes hit personal best marks at Oklahoma.

Kellie Clements in the shot put threw for a distance of 43-05.75.

In the men’s pole vault, Camille Vandendriessche and Aaron Cantrell both cleared 15-05.00 for personal bests.

“I’m just really encouraged,” Hood said. “We got a lot of folk a lot closer.”