HOUSTON – McNeese State's Thomas Canchola and Amy Talbot produced personal bests in their respective events during the opening night of the Rice University twilight relays on Friday.
Canchola finished third in the hammer throw with a career record 176-4 toss and Talbot, in her first attempt at the steeplechase, finished fourth with an 11:17.96 clocking.
Both marks rank among the all-time best in McNeese history, Canchola's moving into second in the hammer and Talbot's to second in the women's steeplechase.
Also on Friday, La'Shantena Rounds finished fourth in the women's hammer with a throw of 163-1 while Ashlee Smith was fifth at 162-9.
Cowboy distance runner Johnathan Koenck ran seventh in the 5,000 meters with a 14:50.76 clocking and Fionnuala Ross was fifth in the women's 5,000 meters at 17:26.48.
Other places for McNeese in the meet were: (men's 1500 meters) Brock Moreaux 17th (4:06.83), Andrew Kogut 20th (4:09.57); (men's 5000 meters) Lewi Manirumva 23rd (15:28.27); (women's hammer) Melanie Jackson 17th (141-1); (women's 1500 meters) Allison Crawford 10th (4:L45.33), Lauren Cooper 18th (4:55.4), Jillian Biagini 21st (4:56.06), Angelina Covington 23rd (4:57.31) and Kaitlyn Jeter 29th (5:01.65).
The meet will continue on Saturday.