Southern Illinois University
GVSU Big Meet
Toennies, McCall highlight impressive first day at Big Meet
02/11/2011 | 12:00:00 | Track and Field
Feb. 11, 2011
By Michael Benson
SIUSalukis.com
ALLENDALE, Mich. - The Southern Illinois track & field teams posted an impressive first day Friday at the GVSU Big Meet with three event titles and record-breaking performances from Emily Toennies and Jeneva McCall.
Overall, the Salukis brought in a total of 12 top five and 21 top ten finishes on Friday.
"We had a lot of good performances," said head coach Connie Price-Smith. "Almost everybody on the distance side had a PR. The sprinters actually performed better than they have all year."
Toennies became the second Saluki in a week to break a school record, as she topped Sarah Rinker's 5000 meter benchmark by two seconds with a time of 16:55.82 - good for third place.
Meanwhile, All-American thrower Jeneva McCall shattered the Laker Turf Building and Big Meet record in the women's weight throw with a toss of 73-11.50. She was joined in the top eight by teammates Gwen Berry and Erin Atkinson, who claimed third and eighth, respectively. The Dolton, Ill., native would also take second in the women's weight throw with a mark of 54-06.75.
The two other SIU first place finishes came on the men's side. Senior Jeff Schirmer held on to win the men's 3000 meters with a time of 8:06.62, beating out Middle Tennessee State's Justus David by only three-tenths of a second.
Additionally, Maxim Bakana took the men's triple jump with a mark of 47-05.25. With Douglas Palacious in fifth and Vincent Johnson in seventh, SIU claimed three of the top seven spots in the field.
In other men's action, Zach Dahleen sent a new personal record for the second time in two weeks in the mile, taking fifth with a time of 4:06.71. Additionally, J.C. Lambert took fourth in the men's weight throw, while Brandon Deloney was fifth in the 200 meters.
In the men's heptathlon, Ryan Sidwell currently sits in seventh place with 2593 points through four events, but is only 372 points from first place Kevin Lanier of Eastern Michigan.
For the women, Kenya Culmer and Kasey Oceguera both tied for fourth in the women's high jump with marks of 5-05.75. The 60 meter hurdles saw Meredith Hayes earn second with a time of 8.66, while Miracle Thompson was seventh at 9.00.
"I'm excited with the performances from today and I am looking forward to tomorrow," Price-Smith said.
The Salukis will return to action tomorrow morning at Grand Valley State with the open events. The competition will begin at 10 a.m. ET with the completion of the men's heptathlon.
Players Mentioned
