Recap | Track and Field enjoy big performances at the Cougar Classic

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Southern Illinois University track and field had a strong performance at the Cougar Classic on Saturday. The Salukis added this event to make up for the canceled Bill Cornell Spring Classic which was canceled due to rain.

"We had a quite strong showing for a meet that wasn't the original plan," says jumps coach, Jacob Brydson. "With last week's home meet being rained out, we sought an opportunity and Coach Evans at SSIUE welcomed us to their meet. We had a good amount of top three finishers, our depth in the events was strongly showcased today."

Track
The men's 4x100 relay squad kicked off the day with a first-place finish with a time of 40.36 seconds. Caleb Massiah started the race, and Andre Jackson ran the second leg of the race and took off, passing the baton to Christian Donatelli, by the time Donatelli passed the baton to the anchor, Xavier Preston, the race was over, leaving everyone in the dust.

Next up was Kasha Nielly, who took home the win in the 100m hurdle with a time of 14.16 seconds. Her time set her personal record in the event, improving by .24 seconds.

Christian Coleman continues to dominate in the 110m hurdle event. Coming off a win at the WashU classic, Coleman kept the winning going at the Cougar Classic, winning the event with a time of 14.85 seconds.

Andre Jackson II adds another win to the collection in his young career, winning the 400m dash with a time of 46.81 seconds. This time puts him in first place in the valley, sixth in the Midwest, and 66th in the country.

Trinity Cleaver claimed second place in the 100m dash with a time of 12.16 seconds.

Leah Thames finished second in the 400m dash with a time of 54.30 seconds. Her mark in the event sets a new personal record, improving by .85 seconds. This time also puts her in first place in the valley, fourth in the Midwest, and 53rd in the country.

Shane Ashton competed in his first 400m hurdle event of the 2025 outdoor season, claiming second place with a time of 53.38 seconds. Although not the result he wanted, he felt good in his quest to defend his 400m hurdle crown.

Kelsey Pacha followed suit with a second-place finish of her own, finishing with a time of 1:07.50.

Brianna Nieset competed in the 800m event, finishing in third place with a time of 2:12.76.

Field
The men's long jump was all dawgs, holding the top three spots in the event. Led by Darrione Williams with a 6.99m (22'-11.25"), Williams took home first place on the last jump of his day. Claiming second place was Jacob Morrison with a 6.65m (21'-10"). Coming in third place was Caleb Massiah with a 6.60m (21'-08"), Massiah will sleep well with his strong performances in the long jump and the 4x100m relay. "Just another day in the office." Says Massiah.

"One bonus of having three tremendous jumpers is they always have at least two others to jump with," said jumps coach Jacob Brydson. "Darrione had a few jumps that got away from him today that would have been real monsters."

Darius Fuller joined the fun with a win of his own. Fuller claimed first in the triple jump event with a 14.52m (47'-7.75") jump. On his final jump attempt, fuller was fully backed by his teammates and fans in attendance, charging his jump to take home the big win. Fuller is gaining momentum at the right time as he will look to defend his triple jump crown in this year's outdoor season.

Jordan Smith had a strong showing in the javelin throw, placing second with a 57.24m (187'-09") throw. This mark improves his collegiate personal best by 3.93m. Henry Harsey made his first-ever appearance in the javelin throw, finishing ninth with a 44.29m (145'-03") throw.

"Henry picked up a javelin a few weeks ago and he is proving to be quite the competitor," said Jacob Brydson. "Jordan's big throw was accompanied by a few more strong throws. He doesn't compete like a typical freshman, and his feel for the event was showcased today."

Na'Kyrah Cooks continues a strong freshman campaign with a second-place finish in the triple jump with an 11.40m (37'-05") jump, and a 3rd place finish in the long jump with a 5.54m (18'-02,25") jump.

Jalynn Wood claimed third place in the pole vault event, with a 3.45m (11'-03.75") jump.

Grant Spicer took home third place with a 1.88m (6'-02") jump.

Full Results for the Cougar Classic can be seen here.

PERSONAL RECORDS
Ansley Bailey – 200M – 27.17 seconds
Kyan Bell – Discus, Shot Put – 48.52m, 16.36m
Audrey Boles – 800M, 1500M – 2:25.29, 4:54.40
Trinity Cleaver – 100M, 100M Hurdles – 12.16, 14.70 Seconds
Josh Delgado – 200m, 400m – 22.51, 49.55
Triniti Douglas – 100M Hurdles – 14.45 seconds
Henry Harsy – Hammer Throw, Javelin Throw – 42.62m, 44.29m
Nadir Langston – 200m, 110m Hurdles – 22.61, 15.21 second
Riley Linville – 800M, 1500M – 2:30.16, 4:55.15
Dominic Martin – 400m Hurdles, Javelin Throw – 59.22 seconds, 38.77M
Ella McDonnell – High Jump – 1.53M
Kasha Neilly – 100M Hurdles – 14.16 Seconds
Ruth Oliveros-Gallardo – Shot Put – 12.23M
Kelsey Pacha – 100M Hurdles, 400M Hurdles – 15.97 Seconds, 1:07.50
Selisa Palmer – 100M – 12.71 Seconds
Evan Redpath – Discus – 38.31M
Jadon Robertson – 100m – 11.42 seconds
Jordan Smith – Javelin Throw – 57.24M
Leah Thames – 400M – 54.30 Seconds
Mali Thornton – Hammer Throw – 44.79M
Halaya Woodson – Hammer Throw – 49.32M
Britany Ziemer – 800M, 1500M – 2:32.81, 5:03.11

UP NEXT
The Salukis will head to MVC favorite Indiana State to compete in the Gibson Invitational in Terre Haute, Ind., on Thursday, April 17.

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