Recap | Williams, Cooks lead Salukis on day one of the MVC Championship

CARBONDALE, Ill. – The Southern Illinois Track and Field team enjoyed big performances in the long jump and set themselves up nicely for finals day on Sunday. The men's team currently sits in sixth place with 11 points, and the women are in ninth place with nine points.

"Hosting the meet at home has benefits and challenges," said Director of Track and Field Richard Jones. "Today I believe we benefited from being at home. Great weather and atmosphere with great support from the community helped bring the Salukis to some great marks and advance to the finals tomorrow. I am excited to see the finale of this weekend and the fruits of their labor."

The jumps crew had a big day on Saturday, picking up a gold and silver medal in the long jump event.

Darrione "DW" Williams was today's big winner, claiming the gold medal with a personal best jump of 7.55M (24'-9.25"). "I show up when the heat gets turned on, pressure makes diamonds," said Darrione Williams on his big win. Entering his fifth jump, Williams sat in fifth place, he didn't falter and pulled off his lifetime best mark, jumping into first place.

"The team meeting yesterday ended with him taking ownership of the motto "just go" and that was what happened after the second jump," said jumps coach Jacob Brydson. "Round five was special though, his best jump of his life came in the biggest moment. The rest of the field brought out the best in each other and was solid competition. There is nothing like closing out the first day on your home track with one of your team leaders winning a conference championship in thrilling fashion."

Na'Kyrah Cooks claimed the silver medal in the long jump earlier in the day., setting a personal best mark herself. Cooks pulled off a 5.89M (19'-4") jump in the sixth round and capped off a solid freshman campaign with a 2^nd place finish.

"Going into round six, she felt the pressure of having some rocky jumps and being outside the podium," said Brydson. "Her ability to recenter launched her into second place with her furthest jump of the year which was remarkable for a freshman. She has championship instincts and two silver medals from indoor and outdoor to prove it."

QUALIFIED

Weston Jokerst – 1500M – 3:57.21
Briana Nieset – 1500 – 4:35.68
Christian Coleman – 110M Hurdles – 14.45 Seconds
Nadir Langston – 110M Hurdles, 400M Hurdles – 14.46 Seconds (PR), 53.84 Seconds (PR)
Triniti Douglas – 100M Hurdles – 13.83 Seconds (PR)
Kasha Neilly – 100M Hurdles, 400M Hurdles – 13.95 Seconds (PR), 1:01.26 (PR)
Andre Jackson II – 200M, 400M Dash – 20.94 Seconds (PR), 46.65 Seconds (PR)
Josh Delgado- 400M – 48.42 Seconds (PR)
Leah Thames – 200M, 400M Dash – 23.51 Seconds (PR), 53.08 Seconds (PR)
Teanna Bell – 200M, 400M Dash – 24.06 Seconds (PR), 53.54 Seconds (PR)
Christian Donatelli – 100 – 10.53 Seconds
Shane Ashton – 400M Hurdles – 51.40 Seconds
James Gaiters – 400M Hurdles – 54.14 Seconds (PR)
KeyAnn Wilson – 200M Dash – 24.30 Seconds

NOTABLE RESULTS

Elise Green – Discus – 35.02M (PR)
Trinity Cleaver – 100M, 200M Dash – 12.01 Seconds (PR), 24.50 Seconds (PR)
Kelsey Pacha – Heptathlon – 2,734 Points
- High Jump – 1.52M (PR)
- 200M Dash – 26.31 Seconds (PR)
- 100M Hurdles - 15.52 Seconds
- Shot Put - 10.25M
Jordan Smith – Decathlon – 3,175 Points
- 100M Dash – 11.31 Seconds (PR)
- 400M Dash – 56.25 Seconds (PR)
- Long Jump - 6.32M (PR)
- Shot Put - 11.18M
- High Jump - 1.80M
Dominic Martin – Decathlon – 2,623 Points
- 100M Dash – 11.31 Seconds (PR)
- 400M Dash – 53.49 Seconds (PR)
- Long Jump – 6.24
- Shot Put - 10.73M

Full Results for day one of the MVC Championship can be seen here.

UP NEXT
The Salukis will look to fill up the podium on the final day of the MVC Championship on Sunday, May 18.

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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