Dawgs Pass Last Test Before Missouri Valley Conference Championships

Friday, February 13

Indianapolis, IN

Southern Illinois University

Heartland Invitational

Graduate Student Jalynn Wood

Dawgs Pass Last Test Before Missouri Valley Conference Championships

02/15/2026 | 11:45:00 | Track and Field

By: Dante Green

The Salukis wrapped up a successful weekend at the Heartland Invitational in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Saturday night. Sixteen runners walked away with season or lifetime bests. Southern Illinois placed second in two different events and claimed one individual victory.

Leah Thames finished second in the 400m while posting an indoor personal record of 54 seconds. She also recorded an indoor personal best in the 200m, where she finished second as well. The women's 4x400m relay team of Vashti Grey, Layla Watson, Trinity Cleaver, and Leah Thames finished second and continues to lead the entire Missouri Valley Conference. Their time of 3:46.02 was also a season best. The men's 4x400m relay team of Xavier Preston, Marius Coleman, Jalen Dickerson, and Kwame Smith also finished second in their event and continues to lead the Missouri Valley Conference. Shane Ashton won his heat of the 400m and recorded a lifetime personal best of 47.54.

Three Salukis finished in the top ten of the Heartland Invitational weight throw: Mark Ishman, Kyan Bell, and Dallas Hodge, with Hodge placing second. Halaya Woodson finished at top ten of the women's weight throw event.

Christian Coleman recorded a lifetime best in the 60m hurdles with a time of 7.91, marking the second straight meet he has run sub-8. Riley Linville posted a personal record in the 3k with a time of 10:44. Na'Kyrah Cooks finished second in the triple jump with a mark of 38 feet. Kylee Weber recorded a lifetime best in the pole vault (3.56m) and finished seventh, while Kayleigh Haskins also posted a personal best in the pole vault.

Assistant coach Jake Brydson, who oversees jumps, said, "It was a meet where once we found ourselves on solid footing, really great performances came about. Men's triple jump, arguably our strongest event, happens so late in every meet, leaving a lot of pressure on those competing early to try and initiate momentum. We had a much better finish to the first day and a start to the second day, leading to a great finish to the meet."

Ben Chance recorded a lifetime personal best in the 3k with a time of 8:38 and finished fourth in his heat. Hannah Meiser posted a season best in the mile for the third straight meet. Kyla Engel recorded a lifetime best in the 800m with a time of 2:21, and Drew Twyman posted a season best in the 800m (1:59.23). Vashti Grey also recorded an indoor personal best in the 200m. Head Coach Richard Jones is already focused on getting his team ready for the next battle: The Missouri Valleu Conference Championships.

"With the end of the season meet, we have gathered enough data and are getting ready for Championship in a few weeks," Jones said. "We polish up some things, get recovery and get mentally prepared. The MVC will be a tight battle and we will need to be in tip top shape moving forward."