FRISCO, TEXAS - Southeastern Louisiana freshman jumper Michael Rheams wasted no time making his presence felt in his first collegiate outdoor meet. Rheams had a big weekend at the NSU Relays at Northwestern State, hit ting a pair of NCAA Provisional Qualifying marks claiming first in the triple jump and second in the long jump in the opening event of the 2008 outdoor season. Officials around the Southland Conference took notice on Tuesday, making Rheams the first Conference Athlete of the Week for the outdoor season. The Award is the first of his career.
Rheams hit his first provisional mark early in the day at Northwestern State. With a jump of 7.35 m (24.5 ft) in the long jump, Rheams took second place.
The freshman showed no signs of wearing down or wilting under pressure as he approached the triple jump. Rheams' leap of 15.51 m (50 ft, 10 3/5 in.) garnered first place honors and gave the freshman a pair of provisional qualifying marks on the afternoon.
Rheams and the Lions will be back in action on Friday when they head to Hattiesburg for the Southern Miss Outdoor Invitational.