NATCHITOCHES, La. – Southeastern Louisiana senior Henry Rop posted a third-place finish in the 10,000 meter run to lead the Lions on the opening day of the Southland Conference Outdoor Championships Friday afternoon at the Walter Ledet Track Complex on the campus of Northwestern State University.

Rop, a native of Kapsabet, Kenya, covered the course in 31:52.10 to earn Southeastern six points and put the Lions in fifth place heading into Saturday's action.

Only two other Southeastern athletes were in action on Friday. Junior Stephen Atkinson finished day one of the decathlon in eighth place with 3,236 points.

Sophomore Shalicia Rochon was the only Lady Lion to see action on the opening day. Rochon failed to point in the discus, finishing 13th with a throw of 40.09 meters (131.53 feet).

The action resumes on Saturday at 10 a.m. with the 110 meters portion of the decathlon. Live results are available at www.Southland.org.