Dual Meet Scores
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - Ahmad Evans' record in the 200 meters was one of 11 event titles for the SIUE men's track and field team Saturday at the Gateway Classic at Korte Stadium.
The freshman broke an SIUE record for the second consecutive week as he ran 21.24 in the 200 meters passing Chris Littleton's mark of 21.30 set in 2010.
"That's flying," said SIUE Head Coach Kareem Jackson of Evans' record-breaking performance. "Ahmad ran a really good race, and I am really happy for him and the rest of the team; they did a fine job today."
He ran past teammate Darius Smith in the final 50 meters to finish first in the event, in what was a rematch of the 2011 Illinois State High School Championships for the former rivals.
Despite finishing second, Smith's time of 21.44 reached the qualifying mark for the US Junior National Championships to be held in June.
Evans also edged Smith in the 100 meters as the duo finished first and second in 10.72 and 10.81, respectively.
The Cougars picked up their first win of the day in the 4x100 relay with a time of 41.90 before William Lindsey won the next two events.
Lindsey led a trio of Cougars in the 110 hurdles with a first-place time of 14.34. Forrest Knight (15.16) and Joshua Thomas(15.28) were right behind in second and third, respectively. Lindsey followed that with another title in the 400 meters (49.33). Thomas placed second in the event in 49.62.
Thomas later bested his veteran teammate in the 400 hurdles as SIUE again swept the top three positions. Thomas led the way with the event win in 54.63, while Lindsey finished second in 55.53 and Forrest Knight placed third (57.76).
Marc Presley claimed another victory for the Cougars winning the 800 meters in a time of 1:58.06. Marc Amarillas followed suit in the 5,000 meters winning the event with a time of 15:05.19.
Rickie Walls won the long jump with a leap of 23-1.75, while Jamil Mashni claimed top honors for SIUE in the shot put tossing 51-2.25.
Kyle Lombardino will join Smith at the US Junior Nationals as he passed the qualifying mark in the discus throwing 168-6 placing second.
"It is a great honor for Kyle," added Jackson. "He has really been developing well with Assistant Coach Scott Block, and I'm happy to see him do so well."
The meet came down to the final race, and it was the 4x400 relay team that clinched the team title for SIUE with a first-place time of 3:25.57.
The Cougars won the meet with 217 points finishing ahead of Western Illinois (193), Bradley (60), Missouri Baptist (38), and UT Martin (21).
"I'm really excited," said Jackson after the competition. "The meet was high energy, and we had a lot of family and friends that came out to support the team."
SIUE remains at home for its final home meet of the season Saturday April 28 with the Twilight Invitational.
