SFA Track and Field Wraps Up Competition at New Mexico Classic

Friday, February 2

Albuquerque, N.M.

ALL DAY

Stephen F. Austin

New Mexico Classic & Multis

SFA Track and Field Wraps Up Competition at New Mexico Classic

2/3/2018 10:03:00 PM | Track & Field

By: Kevin Meyer | Assistant Director of Athletic Media Relations

Results

ALBUQUERQUE, NM – For the Stephen F. Austin track and field team, a trip to the New Mexico Classic this weekend meant a change of scenery, the chance to compete at another high quality indoor facility, and favorable conditions in which to compete. The trip was a favorable one, as multiple 'Jacks turned in strong performances despite very tough competition.

"I was very happy with our team's performance this weekend," said SFA head track and field coach Phil Olson. "We were looking for competitive efforts across the board, from all event areas, and I think we got that. When people compete at a high level and the performances reflect that effort, then everyone has fun and can feel good about the weekend. It is something we can build on as we move towards the indoor championship."

The elevation in the area created a favorable environment for sprinters, and several members of that group took advantage. Aaron Piper and Khalil Lacey both reached the semifinals of the 60m dash, turning in times of 6.87 and 6.88, respectively. In the 400m dash, Tedrick Hawkins and Kerry Gleason both turned in strong performances, with Hawkins' mark of 48.18 being the second best mark in the Southland this season, and Gleason coming in at seventh best with a time of 48.74.

Drake Murphy was the top collegiate performer in the 600m with a time of 1:20.06, while Payton Davis came in eighth with a time of 1:23.15. Both men also ran a leg of the men's 4x400 relay, which finished with a time of 3:13.17, a mark that would lead the Southland in the event, had the relay group not already set the conference best mark earlier this season. On the women's side, the 4x400 relay team of Imani Nave, LaSean Davis, Tiffany Williams and Aaliyah Teel notched a mark of 3:49.26, which would be the third-best mark in the Southland Conference. Nave also ran in the 200m, finishing with a time of 24.45, a mark that would place her third in the even in the Southland Conference, behind her previous mark of 24.40 earlier this season.

In the pole vault, Kaylee Bizzell finished at 12'-10", just below her previous best of 12' 10.5" thus far, but still the fourth best mark put forth in the conference this season. In the men's pole vault, Antonio Ruiz came in third in the event with a mark of 5.28m (17'-03.75").

For the squad of SFA throwers, Mallory Dotson led the way in the women's shot put, as she finished in eighth with a mark of 43' 5.75", which tied her season-best. Dotson also notched a mark of 50'-2" in the weight throw, while Bellodge Roberson (46'-11.75"), Tierra Wilson (54'-6.5") and Maggie Okul (53'-5.75") each competed in the weight throw as well. On the men's side, Trenton Bridges finished third among collegiate throwers in the weight throw with a mark of 58'-06", while Ben Bibby finished sixth with a distance of 51'-06.25". In the shot put, Kevin Steward placed second amongst collegiate throwers with a mark of 53'-0.25", a mark that is the sixth best mark in the Southland this season. Ben Bibby, also competing in the shot put, finished seventh among collegiate athletes with a mark of 47'-10.5".

"It was a very good group effort from the throwers-I believe we had six personal bests out of nine performances," said Olson. "They simply got back to work after the meet at Texas Tech and threw a ton, just trying to get better, and it showed."

The SFA track and field team will return to action on Friday, February 9 at the Howie Ryan Invitational in Houston, Texas.

-SFA-