SAN MARCOS, Texas – Michael Vani and Joya Tardieff claimed individual titles in their respective events as the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns placed seventh overall in both the men's and women's standings at the 2014 Sun Belt Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships that concluded Sunday at Bobcat Track Stadium.
The Cajuns scored 77 points on the women's side and 70 in men's competition. Western Kentucky claimed the women's team title with 173 points with league newcomer UT Arlington winning the men's team title with 145 points.
Vani cleared the bar at 16 feet, 8.25 inches to claim his fifth individual title of the spring with teammate Josh McDaniels finishing fifth overall at 15-6.50. Dionte Heath earned a fourth-place finish in the high jump (6-9.50)
In running events, Morgan Cormier earned all-conference honors after finishing third overall in the men's 400-meter hurdles (52.32) while Matt Rice finished fourth in the men's 800-meters (1:55.42).
Cormier also competed in both relays for the Ragin' Cajuns, running the opening leg in the 4x100-meter relay team that finished seventh (41.67) and the third leg of the 4x400-meters that placed seventh (3:19.63).
Tardieff, who posted the top time in Saturday's preliminary, clocked a season-best time of 1:00.98 to edge Georgia State's Carole Idolphine by .10. Tardieff earlier anchored the women's 4x100-meter relay team that finished fourth (46.26) before concluding the day running the opening leg of the Ragin' Cajuns 4x400-meter relay team that placed fourth (3:47.84).
Tarvia Conway earned all-conference honors after finishing third overall in the women's triple jump (42-0.75) while Danielle Castaldi finished sixth overall in the women's 800-meters (2:11.87).
The Ragin' Cajuns will return to action when they compete in the NCAA East Regional that is scheduled for May 29-31 in Jacksonville, Fla.