SFA to Compete in New Mexico Collegiate Classic
2/5/2016 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field
SFA at New Mexico Collegiate Classic
Friday, February 5 – Saturday, February 6
Albuquerque Convention Center • Albuquerque, N.M.
Heat Sheets | Schedule | Live Results
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The Stephen F. Austin track and field teams have made their way west and are ready to line up against some of the best programs in the nation this Friday and Saturday at the University of New Mexico Collegiate Classic in the Albuquerque Convention Center.
The weekend meet will serve as the final tune-up for the ‘Jacks before they head to the other side of the country to battle for a pair of titles at the 2016 Southland Conference Indoor Championships in Birmingham, Alabama from Feb. 15-16.
While the entire team isn’t making the trip to the desert, a good chuck of SFA’s top athletes will be in action. The men’s pole vault final and 60-meter hurdle prelims will kick off the meet for the Lumberjacks simultaneously on Friday at 5:00 p.m. CT.
On Saturday at 11:00 a.m. CT, Jessica Spelling will take her place in the women’s shot put competition to get the field events underway. Track events are scheduled to resume at 11:45 a.m. CT with the men’s 60-meter hurdle semifinals. The 4x400m relays are set to take place at 3:45 p.m. CT to close the day’s festivities.
SFA will be one of 18 teams in the field over the weekend with Lamar being the only other SLC foe making the trip. Other top teams entered include Texas, USC, Alabama, Texas Tech, UNLV, BYU, LSU and San Diego State.
Senior pole vaulter Demi Payne has been looking forward to the return trip to the Albuquerque Convention Center for quite some time after shattering her own indoor collegiate record just over one year ago. Payne cleared 15-7 (4.75m) on her first attempt at the bar last year on Jan. 24 to claim the title over a stout 31-woman field and set the new national standard – a mark that stands to this day. Still her personal best height in any setting, Payne’s record-breaking jump moved her to No. 3 on the all-time U.S. women’s indoor performers list.
Competing unattached this year, Payne will go for her fourth title of 2016 when the women’s pole vault final begins on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. CT.
SFA fared well at the Houston Invitational last weekend, led by Honorable Mention All-SLC Field Athlete of the Week Isiah Pittman. The freshman won the long jump in Houston with a top leap of 23-6.75 feet and also placed fifth in the triple jump with a mark of 47-11. He ranks fifth and sixth, respectfully, in the SLC in the two events this season. He’ll compete in both again this upcoming weekend.
Fans can keep up with the New Mexico Collegiate Classic through the meet’s live results page at LiveRunningResults.com. For updates on the SFA Track and Field program this weekend and all season long, follow the team on Twitter (@SFA_TFXC).
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