BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - The SIUE underclassmen paved the way for the women's track and field team at the Hilltopper Relays hosted by Western Kentucky Saturday.
"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."
Dede Lofton was the lone event winner for the Cougars as she claimed the top spot in the 800 meters with a time of 2 minutes, 13.82 seconds. Ioana Citireag was on her heels placing second in 2:14.62.
Jatavia Wright matched her school-record time of 14.16 seconds in the 100 hurdles placing second. She later finished fifth in the long jump with a mark of 18 feet, 9.25 inches, which ranks second in SIUE history, and seventh in the triple jump (38-0).
"Jatavia ran a solid race, but hit the final two hurdles before crossing the finish line," added Jackson.
Michelle Higgins was close behind Wright in the long jump recording the third-best leap in school history at 18-8 to finish sixth. Higgins also placed fifth in the triple jump with a mark of 38-8.75.
"Michelle had an outstanding day setting two personal best in back-to-back events," said Jackson. "Higgins ran in the hurdles then raced over to the long jump where she set her all-time best."
Colleen McDonough placed seventh in the hammer after a throw of 167-10 moved her to second all-time at SIUE. The junior recorded another seventh-place finish in the shot put improving her career-best with a toss of 44-9.5.
Elizabeth Hampl earned a third-place finish in the javelin with a toss of 121-2 and Kristin Wykoff placed fifth in the discus throwing 134-8.
Kaya Senaya improved her career-best time in the 100 meters to 12.00 seconds placing third.
Hilary Conrad put together another impressive day with a pair of top-10 finishes. She placed third in the 400 meters (56.78) and seventh in the 200 meters (24.97).
Aftan Noon ran to a second-place finish in the 1,500 meters crossing the finish line in 4:42.65.
The Cougars return to Edwardsville for the first of two home meets beginning April 21 with the Gateway Classic.
