SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The SIUE track and field program split its roster into two units Friday as Cougar athletes competed at the Notre Dame Meyo Invitational and the Missouri Invitational.
At Notre Dame, LaDonna Caston qualified for the semifinals in the women's 60 meter hurdles with a time of 8.54 seconds. Caston's finish was the third-fastest in the event and broke her previous school record of 8.55.
On the men's side, Darius Smith and Braxton Klavins qualified for the semifinals in the 60 meter dash. Smith broke his own school record with a finish of 6.86 while Klavins was right behind him at 6.87.
"It was good exposure for the 60 meter hurdles and 60 meter dash to have prelims and semifinals in the same day," Interim Head Coach Eileen McAllister said. "They need to be able to race rounds on the same day at the national meets. They were consistent today, which is a good start."
Claire Brown set a new personal best in the women's 5,000 meters with a time of 17:29.35, ranking her second on SIUE's all-time list in the event.
In the men's jumps, La'Derrick Ward and Julian Harvey impressed in the long jump. Ward finished second in the event with a leap of 24 feet, 7.75 inches while Harvey placed seventh at 23-9.5.
"The biggest growth I've see repeatedly over our first three meets compared to last year is the athletes' readiness to compete," McAllister said. "They know what they came to do and they're going after it.
At Missouri, Elizabeth Hampl finished third in the women's shot put (43-8) and fourth in the weight throw (54-1). On the men's side, Greg Block placed fifth in the weight throw (56-8.75) while Jamil Mashni took fifth in the shot put (51-10.5).
Freshman Travis Kidd placed fourth in the men's long jump with a mark of 6-5.5.
The Meyo Invitational will continue Saturday at 9 a.m. inside Notre Dame's Loftus Sports Center.
"For two-day meets like this, we are looking for the athletes to bring the same intensity and focus on both days," McAllister added. "It also allows us to evaluate their training by seeing where they are physically on day two."
