Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Track and Field to Host Saluki Booster
01/20/2005 | 12:00:00 | Track and Field
Jan. 20, 2005
By Shalae Schulte
www.siusalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - After a six-week hiatus, the Southern Illinois University track and field teams are at full strength and back in action Friday and Saturday, Jan. 21-22 for the Saluki Booster Invitational at the SIU Student Rec Center.
Field events will begin Friday with the weight throw at 4 p.m. Competition will resume Saturday at 8 a.m., including all running events.
Among the 22 teams competing in the unscored meet this weekend are men's and women's teams from Arkansas State, Memphis, SEMO and the University of Alabama-Birmingham.
The SIU distance crew returns after missing the first meet of the season in December, recovering from the cross country season. Saluki head coach Connie Price-Smith is looking for a well-rounded effort from both the men and women coming off of the long break.
"Many of the athletes came back early and I think that everybody is in really good shape," Price-Smith said. "I'm looking for them to come out and perform better than they did in our December meet."
The Salukis last hosted the Fast Start Invitational Dec. 10, when the throwers had a strong performance. Amarachi Ukabam, a transfer from Ohio State, broke two school records for the women, winning the shot put and the weight throw, while Mark Milleville won the men's weight throw and recorded an all-time top five SIU mark.
"I am looking for big things from our throwers this meet," Price-Smith said. "I think that many of the throwers are going to come out and have some personal records again."
The meet is free and open to the public.
