CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The SIUE track and field team set multiple personal records at the Illini Invitational Saturday. The meet took place at the UI Armory on the campus of the University of Illinois.

"Today's meet was the most competitive of the season up to this point," SIUE Head Coach Scott Block said. WE had great competition in every event and it showed what we need to continue to work on."

The teams competing at the Illini Invitational were DePaul, Illinois, Illinois-Chicago, Illinois State, Indiana State, IUPUI, Louisville, Milwaukee and Western Illinois.

"We also had a great turnout by alumni and parents today, and that was great to see," added Block.

The SIUE distance runners had multiple impressive performances at the Invitational. SIUE's Jalea Paslay took seventh overall in the women's 800 with a PR time of 2:21.48. Aly Goff ran a season best time (2:22.07) in the women's 800.

For the SIUE men, Matt O'Connor placed third in the 800 in a season best time of 1:54.66. Austin Woodard has now recorded a PR in the 3k for the second week in a row with a personal best time of 8:46.85. Landon Skelly ran a season best time (8:48.24) in the 8k.

SIUE freshmen Alexis Hutchins threw to a PR of 45 feet, 3.75 inches in the women's shot put. On the men's side, John Barnes and Austin Lynch both threw to PRs in the shot put.  

Ethan Poston finished first for the Cougars in the men's high jump with a mark of 6-08.75.

The Cougars will be back in action Feb. 1-2 for the Meyo Invitational in Notre Dame, Indiana.