Southern Illinois University
Fast Start Invitational
Track teams set high marks in season-opening meet
12/04/2009 | 12:00:00 | Track and Field
Dec. 4, 2009
By Jason Clay
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois track teams won 15 events and recorded six provisional marks at the first meet of the indoor season, the Saluki Fast Start, Friday at the SIU Recreational Center.
Head coach Connie Price-Smith said that she was very pleased with the way the athletes performed against good competition this early in the season.
"I thought we competed hard and were able to come out with provisional marks in the weight throw, triple jump, pole vault and shot put," Price-Smith said. "I think on the track we had a lot of good performances for a first meet. What I liked most from today is the effort everybody gave.
"Coming into the first meet we want to show the athletes where they are at heading into (winter break) so that they have a barometer for where they should be at when we come back."
Miracle Thompson had a standout performance in the pole vault, as she set a new school record by clearing 13-01.50. It was one of six provisional marks that the Salukis would hit on Friday.
SIU's throwers had a big day, as they collectively won both the men's and women's shot and hammer throws.
In the women's weight throw, SIU finished one-two-three and Gwen Berry took first-place honors with her toss of 66-07.00. Jeneva McCall and Sasha Leeth both added in provisional qualifying marks. McCall also went on to win the shot put with her provisional mark of 53-04.25.
On the men's side, J.C. Lambert took home first place honors in the shot and weight throw.
Rounding out the field events was Malaikah Love's performance in the triple jump, which she won with a provisional mark of 41-07.00.
In the track events, Brandon Deloney and Sammy Biggs both had big days. The two helped SIU take home the 4x400 relay while Deloney captured the 200-meter dash and Biggs won the 400-meter. SIU's women's team also won the 4x400 on Friday.
Meredith Hayes won the 60-meter hurdles, which was dominated by Southern Illinois as the Salukis placed the Top Five finishers.
Kandise Thompson (400m), Nefeteri Williams (600m) Alisa Baron (800m) also won their events on the women's side while Cody Doerflein (pole vault) rounded out the men's winners.
Players Mentioned
