BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - Freshman La'Derrick Ward broke his own SIUE record in the long jump leading the men's track and field team at the Hilltopper Relays Saturday at Western Kentucky.
"The meet went well today on many levels," said SIUE Head Coach Kareem Jackson. "The team was fired up all week about competing at WKU. The meet had many athletes who were ranked in the country and athletes who hit qualifying marks for the Olympic trial today."
La'Derrick Ward wasted no time in rewriting his long jump record set two weeks ago as he leaped 25 feet, 2 inches. The jump was the 11th-best in the nation as the freshman placed second overall and was the top collegiate athlete at the meet.
"You could hear the SIUE rhythm clap all around the track as La'Derrick made his way down the runway," added Jackson.
Rickie Walls improved his personal best in the long jump by more than two feet as he jumped 23-6.25 to place sixth. His mark moves him into second all-time at SIUE.
Ahmad Evans and Darius Smith provided a spark for the Cougars in the sprint events as Evans led the way with a fourth-place finish in the 100 meters. His time of 10.64 ranks third all-time while Smith's sixth-place time of 10.68 ranks fourth.
Evans also finished second in the 200 meters in a time of 21.44, which ranks fourth all-time at SIUE and Smith was close behind in fourth (21.57).
"These two teammates have a long history running against each other dating back to their high school days," said Jackson. "They work great together and it's good to have them both on the same team."
William Lindsey added another event title to his résumé claiming first in the 100 hurdles in a time of 14.08. Lindsey later placed third in the 400 hurdles (53.52).
Joshua Thomas bested his teammate Lindsey in the 400 hurdles as the sophomore placed second in 53.35.
Marc Amarillas ran to a time of 8 minutes, 51.58 seconds in the 3,000 meters placing third, while Marc Presley ran a personal best in the 800 meters finishing sixth in 1:55.70.
Coming off his record-breaking performance last week, Thayer Harrison leapt to a fourth-place finish in the triple jump with a mark of 47-1.75.
Jamil Mashni led the Cougar throwers with a fourth-place and career-best throw of 53-5.75 in the shot put. Kyle Lombardinoalso finished fourth in the discus throwing 157-8.
"This team is determined to improve and they are committed to the process," said Jackson. "I am very proud of all of them. My coaching staff is doing a great job motivating and developing their talents. We hope to have a good crowd at our home meets the next two weeks so the SIUE community can see them compete."
The Cougars return to Edwardsville for the first of two home meets beginning April 21 with the Gateway Classic.
