Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Track and Field To Host MVC Championships
05/13/2003 | 12:00:00 | Track and Field
May 13, 2003
Carbondale, Ill. - Southern Illinois University's track and field teams will have a home track advantage this weekend. The Salukis host the Missouri Valley Conference outdoor track and field championships Thursday through Saturday at McAndrew Stadium/Lew Hartzog Track.
Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students and children. Three-day passes are available for $12 for adults and $6 for students and children.
The meet begins Thursday afternoon at 1 p.m. with the decathlon, and the heptathlon will follow at 1:15 p.m. The 10k races will be run that night. Friday's events start at 9 a.m. with the multi-events. Field events begin at 1 p.m. Saturday.
"We're looking for a good meet for our kids to perform well and have lots of success," said women's head coach Connie Price-Smith. "It's been a great season so far, and I'd like for us to finish conference on a high note."
The conference office announced yesterday the prechampionship poll which had the SIU women finishing second to league favorite SMS. SIU men were picked fifth.
"We are proud to be thought of that highly by our peers in the league," said assistant women's coach Lawrence Johnson. "But in the grand scheme of things, rankings mean nothing. The team has to show up to the MVC championships meet and execute accordingly."
Head men's coach Cameron Wright believes his team will place higher than fifth with a home track advantage.
"I think the guys are geared up and ready to do well. We'll have some guys who will step up and have good races. We should place better than fifth at home. Our guys are excited, and are ready to put their best foot forward."
SIU's women's team has three returning champions: Korto Dunbar (100m-hurdles), Latrice Gray (high jump), and Danielle Lawary (shot put). Noa Beitler won both the indoor 800m and mile run and was named MVP of the indoor championships.
On the men's side, Kellen Allen is the lone returning outdoor champion. He cleared 6-10.75 last year to win the high jump. During the indoor championships, freshmen Ray Scotten (pole vault) and Brent Little (long jump) won their respective events.
Between both squads, the Salukis have qualified 11 athletes in 12 events for the NCAA Mideast Regional at Ohio State May 30-31.
At last year's outdoor championships, SIU's women placed fifth and the men were sixth. During the indoor season this winter, the women finished second and the men third.
Results will be posted on SIU's official athletic website (www.siusalukis.com) following each day's events with complete results posted Saturday at the conclusion of the meet. Results may also be found on the MVC website (www.mvc-sports.com).
