NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The SIUE track and field team completed the first day of competition at OVC Indoor Championships at the Gentry Center Friday, and a pair of Cougar athletes claimed the top spot on the podium in their respective events.
"We definitely competed well today," Interim Head Coach Eileen McAllister said. "The growth on the team has been evident all season, but the way we competed and conducted ourselves today solidified that we are a better team we were than last year. The athletes are having fun and getting the job done."
On the men's side, Greg Block took home first place honors in the weight throw with a personal best mark of 18.54 meters. Block secured the top spot on the final throw of his series, edging second-place Kevin Farley of Southeast Missouri (18.38m).
"For Greg to come through like that on his last throw was awesome," McAllister said. "He beat the heavy favorite in the event. It was back and forth and he just kept showing up."
For the women, Jatavia Wright continued her standout indoor season by winning the conference title in the long jump. Having been named OVC Female Field Athlete of the Year on Thursday, Wright captured first place with a leap of 6.12 meters.
The mark set a new school record, as Wright broke her previous program best of 5.97m set earlier this season.
Elizabeth Hampl placed sixth in the women's weight throw with a personal best mark of 17.07m, while Jasmine Johnson finished eighth in the pentahalon with 3,053 points.
La'Derrick Ward and Julian Harvey placed fifth and sixth, respectively, in the men's long jump. Ward posted a mark of 7.44m while Harvey set a new personal best of 7.44m.
Harvey also tied for third in the high jump with a leap of 2.08m. The freshman ranks third on the program's all-time indoor list in the event.
"Julian continues to be a huge gain for us," McAllister said. "The way he is competing and improving every meet is just awesome to watch."
The Cougars scored in the 5,000 meters on both the men's and women's side as well. Claire Brown placed fourth for the women with a time of 17:50.90, while Luke Padesky finished eighth in the men's race at 15:19.78.
Numerous athletes qualified for finals on Saturday.
On the men's side, Braxton Klavins (49.32 seconds), Ahmad Evans (49.57), and Derek Drew (50.15) will all compete in the finals of the 400 meters Saturday after finishing in the top eight overall.
Darius Smith qualified for finals in the 55 meter dash with a time of 6.49, while Josh Thomas finished in 7.98 in the 55 meter hurdles to qualify.
Smith (21.83), Evans (22.15), and Klavins (22.21) will also compete in the finals for the men's 200 meters.
For the women, Hilary Conrad qualified for finals in both the 200 meters (25.19) and 400 meters (57.11) while LaDonna Caston qualified in the 55 meter dash (7.14) and 55 meter hurdles (7.97).
Wright matched Caston's qualifying time in the 55 meter hurdles (7.97), with both athletes breaking the previous school record of 8.12.
Competition will resume Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Gentry Center.
