KEVIN JENISON

GoSycamores.com

NAMPA, Idaho - Indiana State junior Felisha Johnson finished fourth in the women's weight throw, an event that was dominated by the Missouri Valley Conference. Johnson's best throw of 67-feet-4-inches (20.52 meters) came on her first throw of the competition.

"She did a really good job," Angela Martin, Indiana State track & field coach, said. "The atmosphere was kind of quiet during the competition but Felisha was right there in the hunt. She has had a great transition year with a new coach and even though she wasn't able to defend her national title this year, we look forward to her coming back as a senior and regaining that title."

The Missouri Valley Conference took three of the top four spots during the competition. Southern Illinois' Jeneva McCall, who led the nation for most of the year, won the national title with a distance of 75-feet-1¾-inches (2290 meters) while Illinois State's Brittany Smith was third with a distance of 67-feet-7½-inches (20.61 meters). Ida Storm of UCLA took second with a distance of 70-feet-5¾-inches (21.48 meters).

Johnson will be back in action Saturday as she competes in the shot put starting at 9 p.m. (ET). Two other Sycamores will be competing Saturday including Nicole Hope in the women's pole vault at 7 p.m. (ET) and Brandon Pounds in the men's weight throw at 6 p.m. (ET).

"Felisha is excited about going to shot put tomorrow," Martin said. "It is her favorite event. We are proud of the way she handled herself today and are looking forward to all three athletes competing on Saturday."

Johnson, who defeated McCall to win the 2011 NCAA championship in the women's weight throw, earned First Team All-American status for the second straight year with her performance in this year's weight throw competition.

NCAA Results: http://www.flashresults.com/2012_Meets/indoor/03-09-NCAA/Day1.htm