Salukis Set the Foundation for 2026 at Indiana Invitational
01/18/2026 | 3:56:00 | Track and Field
Salukis Set the Foundation for 2026 at Indiana Invitational
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — The Southern Illinois University track and field team opened the indoor season Friday at the Indiana Invitational, using the meet as an early benchmark against a strong field at Gladstein Fieldhouse. The Salukis delivered a weekend full of promising performances to build on heading into the heart of the indoor season.
Senior Leah Thames highlighted the meet by winning the women's 300-meter run while setting a new personal record. The Saluki freshmen made an immediate impact, led by Malik Allen, who captured first place in the men's triple jump. Christian Coleman finished second in the 60-meter hurdles, while Donte Long placed second in the men's 200 meters.
Courtney McDonald qualified for the women's 60-meter final after posting a time of 7.65 seconds. She and junior Trinity Cleaver both finished inside the top 10 of the women's 200 meters. Cleaver also recorded a personal best in the 300 meters, crossing the line in 39.57 seconds.
In the field events, freshman Kaylee King recorded a personal best in the women's shot put. On the men's side, freshman Mason Watts cleared a personal-best height of 2.00 meters in the high jump, while Zach Overstreet posted a personal record of 1.90 meters.
Distance runners also turned in strong efforts. Riley Linville recorded a personal best in the women's mile with a time of 5:16, while Brady Faulkner ran a personal-best 4:32 in the men's mile. Junior Jalen Dickerson added another personal record, clocking 1:21 in the 600 meters.
The meet served as an important opportunity to evaluate fitness and execution as the Salukis transition fully into indoor competition. The Indiana Invitational marked the first step in SIU's 2026 indoor schedule, providing a valuable measuring stick early in the season.
Southern Illinois will look to build on Friday's performances as preparation continues for upcoming meets later this year.
Complete results from the Indiana Invitational can be found here:
https://mwt.live/meets/60180/teams/1435115
UP NEXT
The program will return to action on January 24 at the Don Denoon Classic, which will be held at home.
For the latest updates on the Salukis, follow the team on Twitter (@SIUTrackXC), Instagram (@SIUTrackXC) and Facebook (@SalukiTrackAndField).
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — The Southern Illinois University track and field team opened the indoor season Friday at the Indiana Invitational, using the meet as an early benchmark against a strong field at Gladstein Fieldhouse. The Salukis delivered a weekend full of promising performances to build on heading into the heart of the indoor season.
Senior Leah Thames highlighted the meet by winning the women's 300-meter run while setting a new personal record. The Saluki freshmen made an immediate impact, led by Malik Allen, who captured first place in the men's triple jump. Christian Coleman finished second in the 60-meter hurdles, while Donte Long placed second in the men's 200 meters.
Courtney McDonald qualified for the women's 60-meter final after posting a time of 7.65 seconds. She and junior Trinity Cleaver both finished inside the top 10 of the women's 200 meters. Cleaver also recorded a personal best in the 300 meters, crossing the line in 39.57 seconds.
In the field events, freshman Kaylee King recorded a personal best in the women's shot put. On the men's side, freshman Mason Watts cleared a personal-best height of 2.00 meters in the high jump, while Zach Overstreet posted a personal record of 1.90 meters.
Distance runners also turned in strong efforts. Riley Linville recorded a personal best in the women's mile with a time of 5:16, while Brady Faulkner ran a personal-best 4:32 in the men's mile. Junior Jalen Dickerson added another personal record, clocking 1:21 in the 600 meters.
The meet served as an important opportunity to evaluate fitness and execution as the Salukis transition fully into indoor competition. The Indiana Invitational marked the first step in SIU's 2026 indoor schedule, providing a valuable measuring stick early in the season.
Southern Illinois will look to build on Friday's performances as preparation continues for upcoming meets later this year.
Complete results from the Indiana Invitational can be found here:
https://mwt.live/meets/60180/teams/1435115
UP NEXT
The program will return to action on January 24 at the Don Denoon Classic, which will be held at home.
For the latest updates on the Salukis, follow the team on Twitter (@SIUTrackXC), Instagram (@SIUTrackXC) and Facebook (@SalukiTrackAndField).
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Sprints
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