
Preston, Pointer tally first-place finishes at Jesse Owens Classic
04/22/2023 | 8:10:00 | Track and Field
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois University track and field team wrapped up the Jesse Owens Classic on Saturday at Ohio State, with Xavier Preston and Iaunia Pointer highlighting the Salukis' weekend in Columbus, Ohio.Â
"The Salukis represented well in Columbus with some notable wins by our top athletes," said Richard Jones, Director of Track & Field and Cross Country. "With one meet left in the regular season, we are putting the finishing touches on some training and gearing towards the outdoor championships in a few weeks."
On Friday, Preston earned a first-place finish in the men's 200m dash after posting a time of 21.02. Christian Donatelli was third in the race (21.32) while Jeremiah Hamilton was sixth (21.48).
Preston was also fourth in the men's 100m dash after tallying a time of 10.42. This is tied for the seventh-fastest run in program history in the event (Donatelli, 2023).Â
In the men's 400m hurdles, Shane Ashton finished inside the top 10 after ending up in ninth with a time of 54.06.Â
A pair of Salukis had top 10 finishes in the women's 1500m run, as Brianna Nieset was seventh (4:35.51) and Claire Ayers was ninth (4:37.08).Â
On the men's side, Weston Jokerst posted a time of 3:53.64, which slotted him in sixth place in the men's 1500m run.Â
Pointer, who is the reigning MVC Track Athlete of the Week, was first in the women's 400m dash after putting up a time of 53.89. This ranks seventh in program history in the event. The junior was also second in the women's 200m dash (23.81).Â
Rachel Anderson was third in the women's 5000m dash with a time of 16:51.38, which ranks sixth in the SIU all-time leaderboard.
In the men's 5000m run, both Dawson Smith (second, 14:30.49) and Ethan Senti (third, 14:31.97) earned top-three finishes.Â
Southern Illinois' women's 4x100m relay team of Pointer, Miracle Berry, Vashti Grey, and Shavell Riley finished fourth after combining for a time of 46.51. The men's 4x400m relay team, consisting of Hamilton, Lamark Threadgill, Bryson Wilson, and Isaiah Pressley, was third with a time of 3:17.67.
Josh Delgado earned a top-five finish in the men's 800m run, finishing with a time of 1:51.59.Â
Daniel Norris (second, 57.96m) and Cole Targgart (third, 56.18m) were both top three in the men's discus throw, with Norris' throw ranking second all-time in the event at Southern Illinois.Â
On the women's side, Matisen Ingle's mark of 46.35m was good enough for seventh place in the women's discus.
For the rest of the results, click here.Â
What's Next
Southern Illinois will split up the squad next weekend from April 28-29, with the Clark Wood Open, Drake Relays, and Penn Relays all taking place in the final weekend in the month of April.Â
Follow the Salukis
For the latest updates on the Salukis, follow the team on Twitter (@SIUTrackXC), Instagram (@SIUTrackXC) and Facebook (@SalukiTrackAndField).
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"The Salukis represented well in Columbus with some notable wins by our top athletes," said Richard Jones, Director of Track & Field and Cross Country. "With one meet left in the regular season, we are putting the finishing touches on some training and gearing towards the outdoor championships in a few weeks."
On Friday, Preston earned a first-place finish in the men's 200m dash after posting a time of 21.02. Christian Donatelli was third in the race (21.32) while Jeremiah Hamilton was sixth (21.48).
Preston was also fourth in the men's 100m dash after tallying a time of 10.42. This is tied for the seventh-fastest run in program history in the event (Donatelli, 2023).Â
In the men's 400m hurdles, Shane Ashton finished inside the top 10 after ending up in ninth with a time of 54.06.Â
A pair of Salukis had top 10 finishes in the women's 1500m run, as Brianna Nieset was seventh (4:35.51) and Claire Ayers was ninth (4:37.08).Â
On the men's side, Weston Jokerst posted a time of 3:53.64, which slotted him in sixth place in the men's 1500m run.Â
Pointer, who is the reigning MVC Track Athlete of the Week, was first in the women's 400m dash after putting up a time of 53.89. This ranks seventh in program history in the event. The junior was also second in the women's 200m dash (23.81).Â
Rachel Anderson was third in the women's 5000m dash with a time of 16:51.38, which ranks sixth in the SIU all-time leaderboard.
In the men's 5000m run, both Dawson Smith (second, 14:30.49) and Ethan Senti (third, 14:31.97) earned top-three finishes.Â
Southern Illinois' women's 4x100m relay team of Pointer, Miracle Berry, Vashti Grey, and Shavell Riley finished fourth after combining for a time of 46.51. The men's 4x400m relay team, consisting of Hamilton, Lamark Threadgill, Bryson Wilson, and Isaiah Pressley, was third with a time of 3:17.67.
Josh Delgado earned a top-five finish in the men's 800m run, finishing with a time of 1:51.59.Â
Daniel Norris (second, 57.96m) and Cole Targgart (third, 56.18m) were both top three in the men's discus throw, with Norris' throw ranking second all-time in the event at Southern Illinois.Â
On the women's side, Matisen Ingle's mark of 46.35m was good enough for seventh place in the women's discus.
For the rest of the results, click here.Â
What's Next
Southern Illinois will split up the squad next weekend from April 28-29, with the Clark Wood Open, Drake Relays, and Penn Relays all taking place in the final weekend in the month of April.Â
Follow the Salukis
For the latest updates on the Salukis, follow the team on Twitter (@SIUTrackXC), Instagram (@SIUTrackXC) and Facebook (@SalukiTrackAndField).
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