Recap | Track and Field has strong showing at the WashU Distance Carnival and Invitational

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Southern Illinois University track and field performed well at its second meet of the outdoor season. The Salukis competed in both the WashU Distance Carnival, and the WashU Invitational.

"There was a lot of life adversity encountered by many of our event groups across the last week," Distance Coach Angelina Ramos said. "Our Salukis made us proud this weekend in their resilience to show up and compete and walk away with lifetime personal bests in the 400M hurdles, throws, steeplechase, 5K, and more. Many athletes demonstrated their best season opener to date."

Ramos continues, "This meet was heavily competitive and helped prepare our squad for the MVC Championship hosted at home in seven weeks' time."

WashU Invitational

TRACK
Brianna Nieset was the heavy favorite heading into the 1500M event on Saturday, and she did not disappoint, winning the event with a time of 4:48.46. The time set by Nieset was 3.52 seconds faster than the next closest racer.

Audrey Boles and Brodie Denny finished the 1500M race with times separated by .46 seconds. Ansley Bailey made her season debut in the 400M race with a time of 1:00.78.

"Audrey and Brodie took key steps in how they raced their 1500M efforts, while Ansley earned a 200M 25.11 and a 300M 39.98 best mark with their collegiate open 400M debut," Ramos said.

"All three learned and brought competitive spirit to their respective events regardless of the wind and the huge emotions surrounding the team missing a few key members due to a hospital stay."

Christian Coleman hurdled his way to a dominant victory in the 110M hurdles with a time of 14.72 seconds, beating the next closest competitor by .15 seconds.

"Wind was not a factor," said Shane Ashton, winning the 400M dash with a time of 48.28 seconds. Ashton left no doubt in the race, beating the next closest runner by .29 seconds.

Britany Ziemer closed out the distance events with a dominant victory in the 3000M Steeplechase event. Ziemer started the race strong and did not look back, leading the entire race and winning the event with a time of 11:30.95. She finished 57 seconds faster than the next closest competitor.

"Nine-second lifetime personal best leading wire to wire to take home the win in the wind," Ramos said. "This coming after she spent all day Friday in the hospital attending to her teammate's bedside and conquering med school."

The men's 4x400 relay squad was the final event of the day. The Saluki relay squad of James Gaiters, Nadir Langston, Josh Delgado, and Marius Coleman finished in second place with a time of 3:16.50. Delgado ran anchor and made a late charge in the race taking second place at the finish line.

"800M specialist Josh Delgado's task was to practice his over-distance and under-distance strength this weekend," Ramos said. "He started with a 1500M race and closed with the 4x400 and was able to take the team from third to second just 30 meters before the finish line."

Nadir Langston is proving to be a key freshman for the Salukis, finishing in third place in the 400M Hurdles with a time of 54.69 seconds.

FIELD

Dallas Hodge is coming off a strong indoor season and continues to perform at a high level. Hodge claimed second place with a throw distance of 57.08M (187' 3").

Christine Nosike entered the ring and claimed third place in the discus event with a throw distance of 42.11M (138' 2").

Halaya Woodson earned third place in the hammer throw event with a throw distance of 48.40M (158' 9"), and Katee Swope was right behind her, finishing in fourth place with a throw distance of 47.92M (157' 2").

Katee Swope, Briana Bolt, and Ruth Oliveros-Gallardo held the third, fourth, and fifth-place positions in the shot-put event. Swope led the way with a throw distance of 12.88M (42' 3.25").

Na'Kyrah Cooks keeps adding to her freshman campaign, this time claiming third place in the long jump event with a jump distance of 5.78M (18' 11.75").

WashU Distance Carnival

Brianna Nieset kicked off her outdoor season with a 23rd-place finish and a time of 4:38.67 in the 1500M event.

"Nieset ran one of her fastest season openers yet in her 4:38.67 1500M opener on Friday and then doubled back on Saturday and got the win," Ramos said. "Practicing different tactical and strategic executions each both days. She followed that up with a 2:19 800M for her third race of the weekend, proving her grit to put herself in the race for her team no matter how many events she's already undertaken."

Hannah Meiser made her collegiate debut in the 10K event and finished with a time of 37:36.41.

"The strength of this young gun brings hope for the Saluki future in the 10K event," Ramos said. "She's hungry to earn her way into the school record books."

Riley Linville ran the 5000M race and finished with a time of 19:12.74.

"Riley executed a very mature race staying engaged and competitive throughout," Ramos said. "Despite heavy wind pickup all Friday, she was able to achieve her collegiate best 5K mark, and third ever best mark."

Will Foltz competed in the 5000M race and finished with a time of 14:52.64

"Foltz was able to improve from a three mile 14:51 to a collegiate 5K (200M longer) in 14:52," Ramos said. "He raced strategically, passing competitors throughout the race, and was able to finish third in his heat."

Weston Jokerst raced in the 1500M event and finished with a time of 3:53.75.

"Weston ran a season-opener best, a time it took him until the Outdoor MVC prelim run two years ago," Ramos said. "Last year, he never broke 3:57 having battled injuries on and off the across the year. To open at 3:53, he is still hungry for more and did so without finessing every tactical execution is a strong note."

PERSONAL BESTS

Christian Coleman – 200M Dash – 22.20 Seconds
James Gaiters – 400M Hurdles – 55.82 Seconds
Britany Ziemer – 3000M Steeple Chase – 11:30.95
Xavier Moore – Discus – 39.03M 128')
Ruth Oliveros-Gallardo – Discus – 34.55M (113' 4")
Dallas Hodge – Hammer Throw – 57.08M (187' 3")
Halaya Woodson – Hammer Throw - 48.40M (158' 9")
Katee Swope – Hammer Throw – 47.92M (157' 2")
Mali Thornton – Hammer Throw – 41.82M (137' 2")
Riley Linville – 5000M – 19:12.74

Full Results for the WashU Distance Carnival can be seen here, and results for the WashU Invitational can be seen here.

UP NEXT
The Salukis will look to carry momentum in the Bill Cornell Spring Classic in Carbondale, Ill., on Friday, April 4.

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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