ELSAH, Ill. – The SIUE men's and women's track and field teams held their first competition of the 2013-14 season Saturday afternoon, holding the programs' annual Red vs. Black Intrasquad meet.
The Red team prevailed by an 85-73 combined score at Saturday's meet, which was held at Principia College's indoor facility. The red team finished with a 51-38 advantage on the men's side while the black team held a 35-34 edge on the women's side.
Overall, the Cougars set six meet records and posted 13 top-three marks.
"The athletes and staff did a fantastic job," Interim Head Coach Eileen McAllister said. "I was extremely pleased with the effort by everyone. To walk away with as many meet records and top-three marks as we did shows that we are in a good place right now. Some of the marks are very impressive for this time of year."
Men's meet records were set by Braxton Klavins in the 600 meters (1:20.31), Julian Harvey in the high jump (2.05m), and La'Derrick Ward in the long jump (7.21m).
On the women's side, meet records were set by Jessica Oranika in the 300 meters (38.57), as well as Jatavia Wright in the 60m hurdles (8.30) and the triple jump (12.25m).
On the Red team, Ahmad Evans won the men's 300 meters while running the third-best time in meet history (33.82), while Klavins took first place in the men's 60 meters. Hilary Conrad was .02 seconds shy of the meet record in the women's 600 meters with a time of 1:34.66, which was also a personal best.
In the field events, Greg Block and Elizabeth Hampl each posted the third-best mark in meet history while winning the men's and women's weight throw, respectively.
On the Black team, Claire Brown won the women's 3,000 meters by tying the second-fastest time in meet history (10:30), while Nick Moore won the men's 3,000 meters (9:03.64).
"The distance kids are just coming off their break from cross country season," McAllister said. "I was happy with their performances and effort level. Several of them ran personal bests despite coming off their break period."
Other event-winners on the Black team included LaDonna Caston in the women's 60 meters, Jamil Mashni in the men's shot put, and Ward in the men's triple jump (14.10m). Derek Drew also broke the previous record in the 600 meters with a time of 1:20.62.
"It's exciting to think about what lies ahead this season," McAllister added. "The key will be what the athletes do over winter break. It's imperative that they remain focused on their process, use their goals as motivation, and hold each other accountable. I have no doubt this will happen, and I am looking forward to their return in January and the official start of the season."
SIUE opens its indoor season Jan. 17-18 with the Holiday Inn Invitational in Lincoln, Neb.
