Freshman Dewayne Lewis, a former state champion from Slater, is starting to make some noise as a thrower for Missouri Valley. (Chris Allen/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge]

FAYETTE -- The Missouri Valley College track and field team won six events Saturday at the ASICS Invitational hosted by Central Methodist.

Senior Linze Leimkuehler of Marshall won the 400-meter dash (1:00.33) and placed second in the 100 (12.92 seconds), while senior Natalie Reische of Brunswick claimed a gold medal in the hammer throw (40.02 meters) and was second in both the shot put (10.89) and discus (35.29).

The Lady Vikings also got a victory from freshman Jennifer Asberry in the triple jump (9.78). She also finished fourth in the long jump (4.34). Coming in third in the javelin (30.49) was junior Natalie Porter.

Freshman Brittany Stallworth (13.74) and sophomore Jaci Price (13.88) of Moberly were sixth and seventh in the 100 and helped the 400-meter relay (51.89) to a second-place showing.

The only winner of an individual event for the Valley men was senior Anthony Flores in the 1,500 (4:06.13), but his time didn't meet the NAIA Championships qualifying standard. However, junior Thiago Ferreira easily made the cut in the 5,000 race-walk (23:52.46) -- in which he won the Heart of America Conference indoor title and placed second at the national meet.

Sophomore LaQuinto Thompson was third in the 400 (51.93), seventh in the 200 (24.02) and played a role in the Vikings' victories in both the 400 (43.87) and 800 (3:32.36) relays. The 3,200 relay (8:25.16) came in third, helped by junior Adam Willis -- who was second in the 800 (1:59.89).

Sophomore John Castillo was fourth, only .15 seconds behind Thompson, in the 400 (52.08) and sophomore Kyle Gieselman of Santa Fe placed ninth in the 100 (11.58).

In field events, sophomore Merlin Benefield (13.80) was third in the shot put, with senior T.J. Tiefenbrunn (13.48) fifth and freshman William Coleman (13.08) sixth. Tiefenbrunn was also third in the hammer throw (41.18) and eighth in the discus (33.11), behind sixth-place freshman teammate Dewayne Lewis (33.45) -- the former state champion from Slater.

Valley is scheduled to take part in the William Jewell Open, Saturday at Liberty, weather permitting.