Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Saturday, May 16
Terre Haute, IN
Southern Illinois University
vs
Missouri Valley Conference Championships
Saluki Track and Field Set for MVC Championships
05/15/2026 | 12:27:00 | Track and Field
CARBONDALE, Ill. – Championship season is here for Southern Illinois track and field as the team sets off for Terra Haute, Indiana, and the 2026 Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
"Championship weekend brings out the best in all teams and we are excited to show and prove this weekend," says Richard Jones, the Director of Track and Field and Cross Country. "Both men and women have been training hard these last few weeks so I like our chances in the events that we are entered in."
Details
-What: Track and Field at MVC Championships
-Date: May 16-17
-Time: Events start at 8:30 CST Both Days
-Location: Gibson Track and Field Complex, Terra Haute, Indiana
-Opponent: MVC Championships
-Live Results: https://mwt.live/meets/73270
-Watch: Saturday | Sunday
Last Time Out
The Salukis last competed at the Jim Green Invitational on May 1 and 2. Leah Thames was the highlight of the event, becoming the first woman in program history to run the 400-meter in less than 53 seconds, with her time of 52.46 earning her gold in the event. Layla Watson set a personal best in the event as well on her way to a top-five finish.
Other strong performances came from Savanna Franzen, who won her heat in the 800-meter event with a season-best time of 2:20.13, and both 4x100 relay teams who both earned podium spots.
Championships of Years Past
On the men's side, Southern Illinois currently sits with the most outdoor championships of any current MVC team with 15, only trailing Oklahoma A&M all-time. The men last won the title in 2015 in Normal, Illinois. Since then, the sport has largely been dominated by UNI and Indiana State, who have won three and four consecutive titles.
As for the women's squad, the Salukis currently have eight titles, trailing Wichita State (10), Illinois State (10), and Indiana State (9). The women have not claimed the crown since they went back-to-back in 2009-10. Indiana State currently rides a two-championship streak.
After being hosted there in 2024, the championship returns to Terra Haute, Indiana, after making a stop in Carbondale last season, where the men's squad finished fifth and the women sixth.
Pre-Championship Poll
On Tuesday, The Valley announced the top-five of its pre-championship poll.
For the men's programs, UNI was picked as the favorite with 100 points and 10 first-place votes. They were followed by a second-place tie between Illinois State and Indiana State, both of whom earned 85 points. Then come the Salukis with 65 points ahead of Bradley, who rounds out the top-five with 60 points.
UNI also topped the women's poll, sitting in first with 115 points and six first-place votes. Indiana State was not too far behind though, finishing second with 113 points and four first-place votes. In third is Illinois State and their 99 points before Bradley in fourth with 88 points and a single first-place vote. Concluding the top-five is Murray State with 75 points.
Championships Information
The Championships kickoff on Saturday, May 16, at 7 a.m. (CST) with the 10,000-meter finals. Two combined events take place at 8:30 a.m. (CST): the decathlon (100-meter, long jump, shot put, high jump, 400-meter) and the heptathlon (100-meter hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200-meter). Field events are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. (CST) before more running events resume at 11 a.m. (CST).
Sunday begins at 8:30 a.m. with the decathlon (110-meter hurdles, discus throw, pole vault, javelin throw, 1,500-meter) and heptathlon (long jump, javelin throw, 800-meter). Field events take place at 9 a.m. (CST) before running events resume at 12:30 p.m. (CST).
More information regarding events schedule and the Championships in general can be found here and here.
Follow the Salukis
For the latest updates on the Salukis, follow the team on Twitter (@SIUTrackXC), Instagram (@SIUTrackXC) and Facebook (@SalukiTrackAndField).
"Championship weekend brings out the best in all teams and we are excited to show and prove this weekend," says Richard Jones, the Director of Track and Field and Cross Country. "Both men and women have been training hard these last few weeks so I like our chances in the events that we are entered in."
Details
-What: Track and Field at MVC Championships
-Date: May 16-17
-Time: Events start at 8:30 CST Both Days
-Location: Gibson Track and Field Complex, Terra Haute, Indiana
-Opponent: MVC Championships
-Live Results: https://mwt.live/meets/73270
-Watch: Saturday | Sunday
Last Time Out
The Salukis last competed at the Jim Green Invitational on May 1 and 2. Leah Thames was the highlight of the event, becoming the first woman in program history to run the 400-meter in less than 53 seconds, with her time of 52.46 earning her gold in the event. Layla Watson set a personal best in the event as well on her way to a top-five finish.
Other strong performances came from Savanna Franzen, who won her heat in the 800-meter event with a season-best time of 2:20.13, and both 4x100 relay teams who both earned podium spots.
Championships of Years Past
On the men's side, Southern Illinois currently sits with the most outdoor championships of any current MVC team with 15, only trailing Oklahoma A&M all-time. The men last won the title in 2015 in Normal, Illinois. Since then, the sport has largely been dominated by UNI and Indiana State, who have won three and four consecutive titles.
As for the women's squad, the Salukis currently have eight titles, trailing Wichita State (10), Illinois State (10), and Indiana State (9). The women have not claimed the crown since they went back-to-back in 2009-10. Indiana State currently rides a two-championship streak.
After being hosted there in 2024, the championship returns to Terra Haute, Indiana, after making a stop in Carbondale last season, where the men's squad finished fifth and the women sixth.
Pre-Championship Poll
On Tuesday, The Valley announced the top-five of its pre-championship poll.
For the men's programs, UNI was picked as the favorite with 100 points and 10 first-place votes. They were followed by a second-place tie between Illinois State and Indiana State, both of whom earned 85 points. Then come the Salukis with 65 points ahead of Bradley, who rounds out the top-five with 60 points.
UNI also topped the women's poll, sitting in first with 115 points and six first-place votes. Indiana State was not too far behind though, finishing second with 113 points and four first-place votes. In third is Illinois State and their 99 points before Bradley in fourth with 88 points and a single first-place vote. Concluding the top-five is Murray State with 75 points.
Championships Information
The Championships kickoff on Saturday, May 16, at 7 a.m. (CST) with the 10,000-meter finals. Two combined events take place at 8:30 a.m. (CST): the decathlon (100-meter, long jump, shot put, high jump, 400-meter) and the heptathlon (100-meter hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200-meter). Field events are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. (CST) before more running events resume at 11 a.m. (CST).
Sunday begins at 8:30 a.m. with the decathlon (110-meter hurdles, discus throw, pole vault, javelin throw, 1,500-meter) and heptathlon (long jump, javelin throw, 800-meter). Field events take place at 9 a.m. (CST) before running events resume at 12:30 p.m. (CST).
More information regarding events schedule and the Championships in general can be found here and here.
Follow the Salukis
For the latest updates on the Salukis, follow the team on Twitter (@SIUTrackXC), Instagram (@SIUTrackXC) and Facebook (@SalukiTrackAndField).
Players Mentioned
Saluki Radio Baseball Broadcast - MVC Tournament vs #5 UE Elimination Game (Audio Only)
Friday, May 22
Saluki Radio Baseball Broadcast - MVC Tournament vs #1 UIC (Audio Only Broadcast)
Friday, May 22
Saluki Radio Baseball Broadcast - MVC Tournament vs #5 UE (Audio Only)
Thursday, May 21
5.19.26 | Saluki Baseball Weekend Preview - MVC Tournament
Tuesday, May 19