News

SIUE senior La’Derrick Ward finished first in the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field West Preliminary Championship with the No. 1 mark in the country and a personal best 26 feet, 8.5 inches in the long jump. Ward will move on to the NCAA Championship in Eugene, Oregon, June 10-13.

Despite several lightning delays, Ward managed to best his former SIUE record and win by over six inches.

“La’Derrick had a terrific series,” said Head Coach Eileen McAllister. He was behind the board on his first jump and rushed the finish on his third jump, but all three had the distance. He showed poise through all the weather delays.”

Senior Elizabeth Hampl broke her SIUE record in the hammer throw with a personal best of 200 feet, 2 inches. She finished her SIUE career with a 15th place finish in the preliminary round.

Ahmad Evans fell .04 seconds shy of moving on to the next round in the 100 meters, but broke the SIUE record and set a personal best at 10.38 seconds.

Evans will compete in the 200 meters in day two of the event.

Jessica Oranika finished 27th in the 400 meters with a time of 54.36. Although the junior will not move on in the 400, she will get another chance to qualify for nationals in the 200 meters.

The schedule for the rest of the meet is as follows:

Friday, May 29
5:00 p.m. – La'Donna Caston (women's 100-meter hurdles prelims)
8:00 p.m. – Jessica Oranika and Brittany Thomas (women's 200 meter prelims)
8:25 p.m. – Ahmad Evans and Darius Smith (men's 200 meter prelims)

Saturday, May 30
7:05 p.m. – LaDonna Caston (women's 100-meter hurdles quarterfinal)
7:35 p.m. – Jessica Oranika and Brittany Thomas (women's 200 meter quarterfinal)
7:50 p.m. – Ahmad Evans and Darius Smith (men's 200 meter quarterfinal)