Southern Illinois University
Saluki Open
Track & Field impresses on first day of Saluki Open
01/13/2012 | 12:00:00 | Track and Field
Jan. 13, 2012
By Robin Thuringer
SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. --The Southern Illinois Track and Field team returned to action Friday in the first day of the Saluki Open at the SIU Recreational Center.
The Saluki men and women dominated in the weight throw. J.C. Lambert won the competition with a throw of 74-04.25 setting a new Missouri Valley Conference record as well as breaking his own previous school record. His winning throw was also an automatic NCAA qualifying mark.
"Today was a great start to the season," said SIU head coach Connie Price-Smith. "It was a great performance by J.C. Lambert, it was really nice to see."
Senior Jeneva McCall extended her NCAA qualifying mark with a throw of 77-11.50 in the weight throw to rank her second all-time in SIU track history. She finished in second place behind unattached, two-time NCAA champion, and former Saluki, Brittany Riley. Riley, who is the current women's weight throw world record holder, recorded a toss of 82-05.00.
Kim Fortney and Rickael Roach also placed in the top-five of the women's weight throw with marks of 64-03.25 and 64-01.25, respectively.
In the women's long jump, Malaikah Love took the title with a final mark of 20-01.50. Doug Palacious finished in third place on the men's side with a jump of 23-05.50.
Ryan Sidwell also took home an event title in the men's pole vault recording a personal best height of 15-07.00. Caselyn Harding placed third among the women with a clearing mark of 10-06.00.
"The women weight throw did awesome as well the long jumps with Malaikah Love and Doug Palacious leading the way," Price-Smith said. "We still have some work to do but I am very pleased at the way most of the athletes looked and competed today."
The Saluki Open will continue Saturday morning at 10am with the shot put, high jump, and triple jump competitions.
Players Mentioned
