Sanchez, Schultheis, Shallow Sparkle for Southeastern

 ARLINGTON, Texas – The final day of the Southland Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships started with a women’s pole vault victory for Southeastern Louisiana’s Lacey Sanchez, followed by a third event title for Adonson Shallow in the men’s discus. Later, Judith Schultheis pulled off an upset win in the women’s 400 meter hurdles.

Team-wise, the Southeastern Louisiana men followed their 2009 championship with a third place result, finishing with 99.5 points. The Lady Lions ended the meet in eighth place with 57 points.

Sanchez had a scary start to the pole vault competition, failing on her first two attempts at her initial height of 10 feet, 9.92 inches. She finally cleared it on her third try, and proceeded to make the next four heights on the first attempt. Sanchez won the event with a vault of 12 feet, 9.54 inches (3.9 meters), but wasn’t done there. She went on to break her own school record, clearing 13 feet, 1.5 inches (4 meters).

“All of the work paid off,” Sanchez said. “It gets repetitive, practicing every single day. You don’t set a personal record at every meet, but this was the place to do it, at such an important meet. I’m so glad I could do it in the championship.”

 

Shallow already won the hammer throw Friday, and the shot put Saturday. Sunday, he grabbed a third gold medal in discus. His top throw came on his third attempt, as he heaved the implement 183 feet, 10 inches (56.03 meters), beating second place finisher Richard Garrett of UTSA by over 10 feet. Shallow also finished fifth in javelin Friday, putting his final point total at 34, the most for any individual in the men’s championship.

 

“It was all about the team this weekend,” Shallow said. “I wanted to score maximum points. Now I’m ready for regionals. I’m ranked amongst the best in all three events, and I’m ready to become an All-American. That’s what is missing for the school right now.”

Schultheis entered the 400 meter hurdles with the conference’s third best time of the season. She scorched past the favorites on her way to the top of the medal stand, breaking her own Southeastern record by covering the distance in just 1:00.61. This came after Schultheis earned third place in the 100 meter hurdles at 13.79.

“After I won, the emotions just took over,” Schultheis said. “I was close to tears. I was just happy to be able to help my teammates out and be able to bring something home. I’m thankful for my coaches and I’m really grateful to be here at Southeastern.”

 

Other medal winners included Michelle Ogashi, who earned a bronze in the women’s triple jump, leaping 40 feet, 1.5 inches (12.23 meters). Michael Rheamswas third-best in men’s triple jump, thanks to a mark of 50 feet, 8.75 inches (15.46 meters). Adlus Wiltz took second place in the men’s 400 meter hurdles (51.52).

 

The men’s 4x100 meter relay team finished second (40.36), featuring Malcolm Carter,Shannon Grover, Rocky Caruth and Jerel Butler. The men’s 4x400 meter relay team ended the meet with a third place effort, asButler, Wiltz, Brandon Camp and Grover completed the race in 3:10.90.

The UTSA Roadrunners took home the men’s conference championship, while Stephen F. Austin claimed the women’s