NATCHITOCHES, LA., HATTIESBURG, MISS. -
Freshman jumper Michael Rheams hit provisional marks in the long jump and triple jump, senior thrower Teremine White claimed first in the shot put and freshman distance runner Henry Rop claimed second in the 5000 m run as the Lions and Lady Lions track and field squads wrapped up competition in the first outdoor meets of the year.
\"This may be the best opening event to the outdoor season we have had since I\'ve been here,\" Southeastern coach Sean Brady said. \"We had a lot of regional qualifiers and some first place finishes. We did what we wanted to do. We always try to put an emphasis on the outdoor season and if we are able to stay healthy and compete the rest of the season the way we did today, it bodes well for us.\"
Southeastern\'s track and field student athletes split their efforts on the weekend as the field events and sprint groups headed to Natchitoches for the Northwestern State Relays and the distance runners took a trip to Hattiesburg, Miss. for the Southern Miss Outdoor Invitational.
Leading the way for the Lions Nactchitoches\' contingent was Michael Rheams. The freshman jumper placed second in the long jump and first in the triple jump and exceeded the NCAA Provisional Regional Qualifying marks in both events. Rheams\' performance was made more impressive as he battled an ankle injury that may force him to miss some future events.
Senior thrower Teremine White got off to a fast start as well, claiming first place in the shot put with a throw of 57.07 m and surpassing an NCAA Regional Qualifying mark.
Meanwhile in Hattiesburg, freshman distance runner Henry Rop, fresh off earning Newcomer of the Year honors at the Southland Conference Indoor Championships, wasted no time in getting off to a fast start in the outdoor season. Rop turned in a time of 14:26.10 in the 5000 m Run, good enough to earn second place.
On the women\'s side, Everlyn Matonyei netted the only top five finish among the women\'s Hattiesburg contingent. Matonyei claimed second in the 5000 m run with a mark of 17:47.45.
Back in Natchitoches, Aquellah El-Amin set a school record in the women\'s pole vault as her vault of 3.65 m bested a mark she tied in 2007.
Senior thrower Colenna Collins also notched a first-place finish as her throw of 51.52 m won the honors in the women\'s hammer throw.
The Lions will return to action March 22 when they head to Lafayette for the Louisiana Classics.