Anderson provisionally qualifies on first day of IIAC Championships

PELLA - Lauren Anderson provisionally quailfied for the NCAA Championships in the 55-meter hurdles as Simpson sits in seventh place after day one of the 2011 Iowa Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships.

Wartburg leads the women's race with 79 points, followed by Central (53.50), Luther (38), Loras (34.50), Cornell (18), Coe (16), Simpson (14), Buena Vista (12) and Dubuque (8).

Anderson posted the fastest preliminary time, crossing the finish line in 8.47 seconds. She shattered her former career-best time of 8.63 seconds set in 2008.

Anderson also placed fourth in the pole vault by clearing 9-6 1/4 and helped the Storm to a third-place finish in the 4x200-meter relay. Her effort in the pole vault was another indoor personal best, bettering her previous effort by a foot. She teamed with Molly Sabers, Nicole Mulder and Jordan Maher in the 4x200.

Sabers qualified for the finals in the 55-meter hurdles, posting the seventh-best time (8.82 seconds). She also placed 10th in the long jump (15-5 1/2).

Maddy Besack added a 10th place effort in the shot put (36-11).

The championships continue tomorrow. For live results, video and a schedule of events, visit http://www.central.edu/athletics/trackfieldmens/IIACindoorMeet/.