Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Salukis to compete at Notre Dame Invitational on Saturday
01/24/2014 | 12:00:00 | Track and Field
Jan. 24, 2014
| Notre Dame Invitational | |
| Date | Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014 |
| Location | Notre Dame, Ind. - Loftus Sports Center, Meyo Track |
| Meet Info | Meet Schedule |
| Stats | |
| Rankings | Men's National | Women's National | Missouri Valley |
| Social Media | @SIU_TrackXC | Facebook |
By Tyler Wooten
SIUSalukis.com
NOTRE DAME, Ind. -- Saluki track and field will travel to the University of Notre Dame to join Illinois State and Michigan State for a one-day meet on Saturday.
Southern is coming off a successful weekend at the Kentucky Invitational, where the Salukis captured four event titles and scored four runners-up. SIU's stay in Lexington was highlighted by junior Sophia Lozano -- who solidified herself within the top-10 nationally in the weight throw -- and freshman Kyle Landon, who moved up to eighth all-time at SIU in the high jump with his second-place finish. On Wednesday, both Landon and junior DeAnna Price were named Missouri Valley Conference Field Athletes of the Week.
SIU currently has 13 student-athletes ranked in the top-50 nationally in their individual events -- including 10 on the women's side. In the women's weight throw only five females rank ahead of Lozano, and one of them is Price -- who, ranks fifth in the nation at 20.75m (68-01.00). Price also ranks in the shot put, sitting at 13th nationally at 16.29m (53-05.50).
Senior Kenya Culmer (high jump, 15th; triple jump, 33rd), junior Ashley Gaston (shot put, 24th; weight throw, 28th) and sophomore Alexus Scott (shot put, 40th; weight throw, 45th) are also ranked in multiple events.
The Salukis will face stiff competition, however, as each team boasts their own crop of national-caliber talent. The host Fighting Irish have the most top-50 student-athletes at the meet with 12 individuals and three 4x400 meter relays -- which includes four sprinters ranked individually within the top-10.
Two of the nation's best male shot put athletes will be in attendance to square off against the Saluki men -- who boast two top-30 shot putters (Josh Freeman and Curtis Wideman). Illinois State's Curtis Jensen has the nation's best mark in the country at 20.29m (66-07.00), and Michigan State's Antonio James is ranked in the top-10 in both the weight throw (sixth) and shot put (eighth).
Competition will begin at 10 a.m. with the men's long jump.
Men's National Rankings (Top-50):
20. Kyle Landon - High Jump - 2.14m (7-00.25)
23. Josh Freeman - Shot Put - 18.19m (59-08.25)
30. Curtis Wideman - Shot Put - 17.84m (58-06.50)
Women's National Rankings (Top-50):
5. DeAnna Price - Weight Throw - 20.75m (68-01.00)
6. Sophia Lozano - Weight Throw - 20.60m (67-07.00)
13. DeAnna Price - Shot Put - 16.29m (53-05.50)
15. Kenya Culmer - High Jump - 1.79m (5-10.50)
24. Ashley Gaston - Shot Put - 15.81m (51-10.50)
28. Ashley Gaston - Weight Throw - 18.95m (62-02.25)
33. Kenya Culmer - Triple Jump - 12.27m (40-03.25)
40. Alexus Scott - Shot Put - 15.14m (49-08.25)
45. Alexus Scott - Weight Throw - 18.36m (60-03.00)
50. Lauren Cheadle - Long Jump - 5.86m (19-02.75)
Players Mentioned
