Alexis Roberson Shines At Day One of Jim Green Invitational

01/10/2020 | 7:50:00 | Track and Field

By: Brandon Lindholm, SIUSalukis.com

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Southern Illinois University track and field program saw senior thrower Alexis Roberson record a personal-best in the weight throw to secure the lone Saluki win on day one of the Jim Green Invitational, hosted by the University of Kentucky, on Friday night.

Roberson, a Jefferson City, Mo. native, secured the personal-best throw of 21.22 meters (69'7.5") on her first attempt, besting her previous PR by half an inch to win the event. Roberson's closest competitor was Annette Echikunwoke, an unattached participant, who's best throw of the day came on her second attempt and fell .38 meters (1'3") short of Roberson's.

The victory is the first by Roberson this season, as the senior finished second at the Saluki Fast Start in the weight throw. Roberson's winning toss tops her previous top mark in the Missouri Valley Conference by .56 meters (1'10") and stands fifth-best in the NCAA.

Freshman thrower Diamond Richardson PR'd in the weight toss with a mark of 16.16 meters (53'0.25"), besting her previous mark by over 10 inches to finish 13^th out of 29 competitors.

Trevor Thompson set a personal-best in the high jump, as the sophomore cleared 1.94 meters (6'4.25") to finish seventh. Thompson's jump is three inches higher than his previous personal-best and moves him into ninth in the MVC.

In the women's 200 meter finals, senior Tyjuana Eason was the top Saluki finisher with a time of 24.60, good for 10^th. Madison Meyer was the next closest Saluki finisher, as the senior came in 22^nd with a time of 25.52. Kira Williams was the lone Saluki in the 600 meters and set a personal-best with a time of 1:38.04.

In the men's 200 meter finals, Corey Sherrod took seventh with his finish of 21.73 seconds, followed by Damere Gilbert in 24^th with a time of 22.37. Kyle Lind took 25^th after finishing in 22.45, while freshman Lance Gauthney took 31^st with a time of 22.62.

In the circle, senior thrower Ricky Hurley took fourth in the weight throw finals with a mark of 19.15 meters (62'10"). Fellow thrower Peyton Taylor took 15^th after tossing for a mark of 15.57 meters (51'1").

Day two of the Jim Green Invitational gets underway at 10 a.m. with the women's shot put and triple jump. Running events begin at 12 p.m. with the women's 60 meter semifinal.

Complete results of day one can be found here.

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