April 24, 2010
HOUSTON - Junior distance runner Kadi Whisnant continued her assault on the school and Southland Conference record books on Saturday night as the Baton Rouge native broke a school record for the fourth consecutive meet. Whisnant's 3K steeplechase time of 10:41.07 was the fastest time among collegiate finishers and was the third-fastest time in the history of the Southland Conference. Whisnant finished second only to Lennie Waite of Great Britain. Waite, who currently owns the second best 3K steeplechase time in the world this season (9:56.73 at last week's Mt. Sac Relays) competed unattached and clocked in at 10:11.93. Whisnant bettered her own school record in the event for the third time this season, her string of consecutive record-setting weeks began on March 27 with a school record in the 3K steeplechase at the FSU Relays. The St. Michael the Archangel High School product's new record didn't last long as Whisnant bettered her school record at the Ole Miss Invitational two weeks later. A school record in the 1500 m followed at the LSU Alumni Gold on April 17. Whisnant now ranks third in Southland Conference history with a time of 10:41.07. She trails only a pair of performances by former Lamar standout Amanda King (10:16.99 in 2007 and 10:31.46 in 2006) for the top time in conference history. Whisnant also strengthened her chances of advancing to the first round of the 2010 NCAA National Championships. Ranked 65th in the east region heading into this week's competition, Whisnant's new time would put her in the top 30 times prior to this weekend's competition, well within the top-48 range needed to clinch a place at the first round in Greensboro at the end of May. Whisnant was joined by sophomore sprinter Samantha Calhoun, who also continues to dominate the Colonel record books in the short sprints. The Morgan City native came into the weekend tied for fifth in the conference in the 100 m. After Calhoun clocked in at 11.88 to set a new school record in the event on Saturday to help her move her up the Southland Conference standings. The Colonels will return to action next week when they head to the Cole-Lancoln Twilight at UL-Lafayette. The Ragin Cajuns' home meet will be the Colonels final regular season meet prior to the 2010 Southland Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships.