Na'Kyrah Cooks
Recap | Cooks, Williams claim silver to lead the Salukis into day two
03/02/2025 | 8:31:00 | Track and Field
CHICAGO, Ill. – Southern Illinois track and field completed day one at the MVC Indoor Track and Field Championship at the Dr. Conrad Worrill Track and Field Center Sunday in Chicago, Ill.
Director of Track and Field Richard Jones was happy with his team after day one.
"As I have been sharing with the athletes on how improved the conference marks have gotten the last and we have stepped up to the challenge," Jones said. "The finals are going to be exciting to see as the Salukis rest up and prepare for day two."
TRACK QUALIFIERS
Weston Jokerst qualified in the mile-run event with a time of 4:15.43.
Christian Coleman (8.20 seconds) and Nadir Langston (8.27 seconds) qualified in the 60m hurdle event. Langston's time in the event set his personal best mark.
Leah Thames (55.75 seconds) and Teanna Bell (55.81 seconds) qualified in the 400-meter event. Thames' time sets her personal best mark, and Bell's time is a season-best mark.
Leah Thames qualified for the 200-meter dash at 24.54 seconds, setting her season's best mark in the event.
Andre Jackson qualified in the 200m (21.59 seconds) and the 400m (47.41 seconds), both setting personal bests in each event. Jackson's 400m was the best mark in the qualifying round, and he will look to capture the crown in Monday's final.
JUMPS
Jumps coach Jacob Brydson was proud of how his long jumpers competed today.
"When you combine the efforts of Na'kyrah and Darrione, we kickstarted our championship effort," Brydson said. "We hope it sparks a great day two for the team."
Darrione Williams finished in second place in the Long Jump event with a jump distance of 7.33m, setting his season's best mark.
"Darrione having his best day of the season when it matters was clutch for us, he was consistently around the 24' mark and competed until the last jump," Brydson said.
"Darrione is one of our leaders because of the standard he holds himself to, and how hard and tactically smart he competes," Brydson continued. "Today he showcased his finest attributes, and he comes back to triple jump tomorrow, an event where he finished third in outdoors."
Na'Kyrah Cooks finished second place in the Long Jump event with a jump distance of 5.72m.
"Na'Kyrah is a tremendous competitor and silver as a freshman is no joke, she had to find her footing and grounded herself after round one," Brydson said. "She responded well and took the lead into the final and had some great jumps."
Brydson continued, "I am excited to her going outdoors and see what she can do in the triple jump on Monday."
THROWS
Dallas Hodge placed fourth in the weight throw event, setting his personal best at 18.91m on his final throw.
Halaya Woodson placed sixth in the weight throw event, breaking her personal best record twice. On her fifth throw, she had a distance of 16.99m. On her final throw, she unleashed the weight 17.61m.
HEPTATHLON
In the men's heptathlon, Jadon Robertson currently holds third place with 2,877 points. His day one performance was highlighted in the high jump event, winning at 1.95m. Dom Martin is close behind, sitting in sixth place with 2,820 points. Martin's day one performance was highlighted in the Long Jump event, placing second at 6.89 meters, setting his personal best mark in the event. The men's heptathlon will conclude on Monday with the 60m hurdles, pole vault, and the 1000m events.
After day one, the men's team sits in sixth place with 15 points, while the women's team sits in seventh with 11 points.
Full results for day one of the championship can be seen here.
The MVC Indoor Championship will continue on ESPN+ starting at 11:15 a.m. and can be found here.
PERSONAL BESTS
Dom Martin – Heptathlon 60m Dash, Long Jump – 7.23 seconds, 6.89m
Kelsey Pacha – Pentathlon 800m – 2:33.96
Triniti Douglas – 60m Hurdles – 8.69 seconds
Nadir Langston – 60m Hurdles – 8.27 seconds
Leah Thames – 400m – 55.75 seconds
Andre Jackson II – 200m, 400m – 21.59 seconds, 47.41 seconds
Dallas Hodge – Weight Throw – 18.91m
Halaya Woodson – Weight Throw – 17.61m
Evan Redpath – Weight Throw – 13.67m
Briana Bolt – Weight Throw – 14.07m
UP NEXT
The Salukis will look to build off day one and carry momentum into day two of the MVC Indoor Championship at the Dr. Conrad Worrill Track & Field Center on Monday, March 3.
FOLLOW THE SALUKIS
For the latest updates on the Salukis, follow the team on Twitter (@SIUTrackXC), Instagram (@SIUTrackXC) and Facebook (@SalukiTrackAndField).
Director of Track and Field Richard Jones was happy with his team after day one.
"As I have been sharing with the athletes on how improved the conference marks have gotten the last and we have stepped up to the challenge," Jones said. "The finals are going to be exciting to see as the Salukis rest up and prepare for day two."
TRACK QUALIFIERS
Weston Jokerst qualified in the mile-run event with a time of 4:15.43.
Christian Coleman (8.20 seconds) and Nadir Langston (8.27 seconds) qualified in the 60m hurdle event. Langston's time in the event set his personal best mark.
Leah Thames (55.75 seconds) and Teanna Bell (55.81 seconds) qualified in the 400-meter event. Thames' time sets her personal best mark, and Bell's time is a season-best mark.
Leah Thames qualified for the 200-meter dash at 24.54 seconds, setting her season's best mark in the event.
Andre Jackson qualified in the 200m (21.59 seconds) and the 400m (47.41 seconds), both setting personal bests in each event. Jackson's 400m was the best mark in the qualifying round, and he will look to capture the crown in Monday's final.
JUMPS
Jumps coach Jacob Brydson was proud of how his long jumpers competed today.
"When you combine the efforts of Na'kyrah and Darrione, we kickstarted our championship effort," Brydson said. "We hope it sparks a great day two for the team."
Darrione Williams finished in second place in the Long Jump event with a jump distance of 7.33m, setting his season's best mark.
"Darrione having his best day of the season when it matters was clutch for us, he was consistently around the 24' mark and competed until the last jump," Brydson said.
"Darrione is one of our leaders because of the standard he holds himself to, and how hard and tactically smart he competes," Brydson continued. "Today he showcased his finest attributes, and he comes back to triple jump tomorrow, an event where he finished third in outdoors."
Na'Kyrah Cooks finished second place in the Long Jump event with a jump distance of 5.72m.
"Na'Kyrah is a tremendous competitor and silver as a freshman is no joke, she had to find her footing and grounded herself after round one," Brydson said. "She responded well and took the lead into the final and had some great jumps."
Brydson continued, "I am excited to her going outdoors and see what she can do in the triple jump on Monday."
THROWS
Dallas Hodge placed fourth in the weight throw event, setting his personal best at 18.91m on his final throw.
Halaya Woodson placed sixth in the weight throw event, breaking her personal best record twice. On her fifth throw, she had a distance of 16.99m. On her final throw, she unleashed the weight 17.61m.
HEPTATHLON
In the men's heptathlon, Jadon Robertson currently holds third place with 2,877 points. His day one performance was highlighted in the high jump event, winning at 1.95m. Dom Martin is close behind, sitting in sixth place with 2,820 points. Martin's day one performance was highlighted in the Long Jump event, placing second at 6.89 meters, setting his personal best mark in the event. The men's heptathlon will conclude on Monday with the 60m hurdles, pole vault, and the 1000m events.
After day one, the men's team sits in sixth place with 15 points, while the women's team sits in seventh with 11 points.
Full results for day one of the championship can be seen here.
The MVC Indoor Championship will continue on ESPN+ starting at 11:15 a.m. and can be found here.
PERSONAL BESTS
Dom Martin – Heptathlon 60m Dash, Long Jump – 7.23 seconds, 6.89m
Kelsey Pacha – Pentathlon 800m – 2:33.96
Triniti Douglas – 60m Hurdles – 8.69 seconds
Nadir Langston – 60m Hurdles – 8.27 seconds
Leah Thames – 400m – 55.75 seconds
Andre Jackson II – 200m, 400m – 21.59 seconds, 47.41 seconds
Dallas Hodge – Weight Throw – 18.91m
Halaya Woodson – Weight Throw – 17.61m
Evan Redpath – Weight Throw – 13.67m
Briana Bolt – Weight Throw – 14.07m
UP NEXT
The Salukis will look to build off day one and carry momentum into day two of the MVC Indoor Championship at the Dr. Conrad Worrill Track & Field Center on Monday, March 3.
FOLLOW THE SALUKIS
For the latest updates on the Salukis, follow the team on Twitter (@SIUTrackXC), Instagram (@SIUTrackXC) and Facebook (@SalukiTrackAndField).
Players Mentioned
Sprints
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Throws
/ Track and Field
Sprints / Hurdles
/ Track and Field
Sprints / Hurdles
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Throws
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Sprints
/ Track and Field
Distance/XC
/ Track and Field
Sprints/Hurdles
/ Track and Field
Multis
/ Track and Field
Throws
/ Track and Field
Jumps/Multis
/ Track and Field
Sprints
/ Track and Field
Jumps
/ Track and Field
Throws
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