Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
Margaret Simmons Invitational
Salukis Make Statement in Outdoor Opener
03/22/2026 | 10:23:00 | Track and Field
MURRAY, Ky. — The Southern Illinois track and field team opened its outdoor season with a strong performance at the Margaret Simmons Invitational, held March 20–21 at Murray State.
Competing for the first time since the MVC Indoor Championships, the Salukis delivered a statement weekend, finishing second in total points in both the men's and women's divisions.
The men's team scored 200 points, trailing only Saint Louis (215), while the women totaled 163 points to finish behind host Murray State (193).
Southern Illinois collected multiple event titles across the two-day meet.
Jordan Lopez led the way in the men's discus with a winning throw of 43.33 meters. Mali Thornton captured the women's hammer throw (48.40m), while Kaylee King added a win in the women's discus (39.55m). Dallas Hodge won the men's hammer throw with a personal-best mark of 59.54 meters.
On the track, Leah Thames (11.67) and Otto De St. Jeor (10.49) each claimed titles in their respective 100-meter races. Jalen Dickerson added a win in the men's 400-meter hurdles (52.36).
Malik Allen secured first place in the men's triple jump.
Jordan Smith delivered one of the top performances of the weekend in the men's javelin, recording a throw of 60.52 meters — the farthest by a Saluki since 2000 and seventh all-time in program history.
Both 4x100-meter relay teams also finished first. The women's team of Thames, Triniti Douglas, Courtney McDonald and KeyAnn Wilson took the title, while the men's squad of Xavier Preston, Donte Long, Kwame Smith and Otto De St. Jeor matched the effort.
Southern Illinois also saw a number of notable performances and personal bests.
Darius Fuller placed second in the men's triple jump and later recorded a personal best of 6.88 meters to finish third in the long jump. Marius Coleman finished second in the men's 400 meters with a personal-best time of 48.41.
Drew Twyman placed third in the men's 800 meters with a lifetime outdoor best of 2:04.76, while Kyla Engel finished second in the women's 800 meters in a personal-best 2:19 — her first time breaking the 2:20 mark.
Jaiden Block finished second in the women's discus (42.29m), and Elise Greene placed third in the women's hammer throw.
Tiara Murray set three personal-best marks in the long jump during the competition. Na'Kyrah Cooks added a runner-up finish in the women's triple jump (11.72m).
Layla Watson recorded a personal best in the women's 200 meters (25.88).
In other results, Luke Leverett placed second in the men's 100-meter prelims, Jamison Love finished third in the women's 400 meters, and Preston added a second-place finish in the men's 200 meters.
Jadon Robertson cleared 1.93 meters to finish second in the men's high jump, while Jackson Lee placed second in the men's pole vault (4.55m). On the women's side, Courtney McDonald and KeyAnn Wilson finished fourth and fifth, respectively.
Director Richard Jones was impressed with the results."We had a very productive meet this weekend. Several athletes got some good wins, personal bests and we were able to leave the meet with some good information to build upon for our next competition. The elements play such an important part to our success so glad that it was warm this weekend as well. We have some time to improve over the next few weeks so that's the goal."
Players Mentioned
