BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The SIUE track and field program competed in its final meet before OVC Indoor Championships as the Cougars took part in the Hoosier Hills Relays at Indiana University over the weekend.
"This was a good meet before conference championships," Interim Head Coach Eileen McAllister said. "We are destroying our record books and getting people to the national meet."
On the men's side, La'Derrick Ward took home first place honors and set a new school record in the long jump with a mark of 25 feet, 3.5 inches (7.71m). Ward bested his previous record of 24-9.75, and now ranks eighth nationally in the men's long jump. He is currently qualified for NCAA Indoor National Championships.
Braxton Klavins produced a solid meet, moving up to second all-time at SIUE in the 200 meters with a finish of 21.71 seconds. He also took first place in the 400 meters, finishing in 47.56.
Freshman Julian Harvey moved to third all-time in the high jump with a leap of 6-8.25. Personal bests were also set by Josh Thomas in the 600 meters (1:22.24) along with Clint Kliem (8:36.97) and Luke Padesky (8:50.34) in the 3,000 meters.
"We represented well this weekend," McAllister said. "We won several events and put people in the finals and invite sections."
For the women, LaDonna Caston topped her own school record in the 60 meter hurdles, taking first place with a time of 8.39. Caston now ranks 35th nationally in the event, breaking her previous record of 8.54 set earlier this season. The sophomore also placed fifth in the 60-meter dash with a finish of 7.70.
Jessica Oranika set a new school record in the 400 meters with a first-place finish of 55.30. She moved to No. 2 all-time in the 200 meters with a time of 24.79, while also setting a new personal best in the 60-meter dash.
Hilary Conrad set personal bests in the 200 meters (24.70), 400 meters (55.76), and tied her best time in the 60 meters (7.95).
Claire Brown also had a strong meet, improving her personal best in the 3,000 meters to 10:08.19. Brown ranks second all-time in the event.
OVC Indoor Championships will take place Feb. 28-Mar. 1 in Nashville, Tenn. The event will be hosted by Tennessee State at the Gentry Center.
"It's important the athletes take pride in their accomplishments but also realize there is more to be accomplished," McAllister added. "Other athletes around the conference are doing things too. We are moving in the right direction. We need to keep getting more people on the bus."
