ALLENDALE, Mich. – SIUE track and field Head Coach Kareem Jackson knew early it was going to be a big day at the GVSU Big Meet.
Elizabeth Hampl set the SIUE record in the weight throw on her first toss of the day. She threw 57 feet, 11.75 inches (17.67 meters). She eclipsed the record of 17.52 meters set by Callie Glover in 2006. Hampl also turned in a throw of 41-8.75 (12.72m) in the shot put Saturday.
"We had people today who thrived in the atmosphere and put pieces together all at the same time," said Jackson.
Hampl was one example of that. She said she was relaxed for the record-breaking throw and that it felt like a warm-up more than a competitive throw.
"There was no doubt that it was a good meet, and I loved the competition there," Hampl added.
Jackson counted 28 personal bests and three school records for the Cougars. He was pleased with the team's performance for the weekend and said that many of members of the team now understand the team's expectations and goals.
"More importantly, I see our team coming together and competing as a team rather than as individuals," Jackson said.
On the women's side, Aftan Noon rebounded from her school record Friday with a win in the 800. Her winning time of 2 minutes, 12.24 second was two seconds better than her season best and just one second off the school record Ioana Citireag set last season. Teammate Dede Lofton also ran well with a fifth-place finish in 2:17.58.
Freshman Conradette King recorded a PR by more than three seconds in the mile with a time of 5:22.87.
SIUE finished with three throwers among the top 20 in the weight throw. After Hampl's record Colleen McDonough threw 56-3.75 and Elisha Crawley added a PR with a throw of 53-7.75
Claire Brown topped her season best in the 3,000 by eight seconds at 1);31.53. Haley Briggs was close by with a time of 10:55.04.
On the men's side, throwers Greg Block and Jamil Mashni turned in season bests. Block placed fourth in the weight throw at 59-10.25. Mashni took third in the shot put with a toss of 53-10.5.
Freshman Darius Smith won his heat and placed fourth overall in the 200 at 22.27.
Nick Moore turned in a season best in the 3000 with a run of 8:45.12.
Jackson said setting goals and watching his team achieve them made for a stellar day.
Josh Thomas was one who was pleased with his performance and the team's performance. The junior ran the 400 Saturday in 49.95.
"I finally broke 50 in the 400," said Thomas. "I set my goal and reached it."
Thomas also was part of the 4 x 400 relay that missed the school record Friday by a mere second. "That gave us a boost to keep us going," Thomas added.
Grand Valley State official announced the final numbers for the "Big Meet" included 85 teams, 1,743 athletes, 2,307 entries, and 109 relays.
Jackson said this upcoming week will be crucial for the Cougars in preparation for the Ohio Valley Conference Championships Feb. 22-23 at Eastern Illinois.
"We feel good about where we are at, and we know we have room to improve," Jackson said.
