SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Darius Smith recorded a new SIUE record in the 60 meters at the Meyo Invitational in South Bend, Indiana, while Elizabeth Hampl broke her own school record in the weight throw at the Tiger Invitational in Columbia, Missouri.
La'Derrick Ward won the long jump event at the Meyo Invitational with a jump of 24 feet, 9 inches.
Smith ran the 60 meters in 6.84 seconds, breaking the record Braxton Klavins set a week ago.
Hampl shattered her personal best and previous school record in the weight throw. She won the event with a throw of 58-0.25 inches.
Also recording new personal bests in the Tiger Invitational were Lizzie Virgl and Megan Lauzon, both in the weight throw. Virgl recorded a mark of 43-9.75, while Lauzon threw a mark of 49-10.
Alec Dutton recorded personal bests in both the weight throw and the shot put with marks of 46-10 and 48-3.5, respectively.
LaCresha Linton also recorded two personal bests at the Tiger Invitational. She ran the 60 meters in 7.95 and the 200 meters in 26.18.
Luke Padesky and Nick Moore, both competing at the Tiger Invitational, ran their best mile. Padesky ran the mile in 4:20.10, the best time for SIUE so far this year. Moore ran the mile in 4:23.99.
Erin Kennedy recorded another personal best in the women's 3,000 meters, running it in 10:42.90. Kennedy has bettered her time in every meet so far this season.
Deborrah Blackburn bettered her high jump mark at the Tiger Invitational, starting the meet off with a jump of 5-5.25.
At the Meyo Invitational, Davinn Smith recorded two personal bests in the preliminaries and semifinals of the 60 meters, finishing with a time of 6.94.
"I am happy to see Darius and Davinn healthy and running well," said Head Coach Eileen McAllister. "They have overcome injuries and will be key players at the Ohio Valley Conference Championship."
Brittany Thomas recorded two personal bests in the 60 meters and 200 meters. Her time of 7.68 in the 60 meters is second all-time at SIUE. She ran the 200 meters in 25.09.
"The freshmen continue to compete well, progress, and pull their weight for the team," said McAllister. "Progress, small steps, and big break throughs are what we want."
LaDonna Caston ran a personal best of 25.34 in the 200 meters. Ivory Cassell ran the 60 meters in a personal best 7.89.
"I am pleased with the results from both meets and I look for a big finish tomorrow on day two," said McAllister.
The Meyo Invitational continues Saturday for the Cougars starting at 9 a.m. CST.
