BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Veteran Southeastern Louisiana athletes turned in solid performances Friday at the UAB Blazer Invitational in Birmingham, Ala., and the McNeese Indoor I in Lake Charles, La.
“We were exposed to some good competition,” head coach Sean Brady said. “Our freshmen acted like freshmen and they need to gain experience. We had some jitters I thought we'd shaken over the break, but I'm really pleased with the veterans.”
With the top Southeastern performance of the UAB Blazer Invitational, Michelle Ogashi won the women's triple jump (12.35 m) and set a Southeastern indoor record.
Shannon Grover, running in lane three, finished second in the men's 200 meter dash (21.50 sec) to Mississippi State's Tavaris Tate. Tate set the track record (20.96 sec) in winning the event.
“Shannon is a mature guy that we expect to be great,” Brady said. “And he is living up to it.”
Grover also finished second in the men's 60 meter dash (6.82 sec).
On the men's side, Johnel Reams turned in a distance of 1.90 meters in the men's high jump (eighth). Phillippe Moore finished ninth in the triple jump (13.84 m).Shaquille Brown turned in a time of 2:00.56 in the 800 meter dash (16th).
Shaquell Windley (49.94 sec), Abram Taylor (51.10 sec) and Tavarus Arbuthnot (51.25 sec) finished ninth, 19th and 24th respectively in the 400 meter dash. The Lion relay team placed eighth (3:21.98) in the men's 4 x 400 meter relay.
On the women's side, Alicia Noel finished 12th in the 400 meter dash (59.06 sec). Nia Stewart placed 28th in the 200 meter dash (25.80 sec) and the Lady Lion relay team finished 19th in the 4 x 400 meter relay (4:03.63).
“It was nice to be able to lineup against some CUSA and SEC schools,” Brady said. “We can compete against anybody in spots.”
At the McNeese Indoor I, Southeastern athletes placed in the top three 10 times and won a pair of events.
Sydni Jones won the women's 200 meter dash (26.75 sec) and Brittany Pfantz (3.84 m) topped fellow Lady Lion Colleen Butler (3.20 m, second) in the pole vault.
Other top finishes for the Lady Lions include Shalicia Rochon in the shot put (second, 13.40 m), Diana Marcantel in the high jump (third, 1.47 m) and Bernadette Derosier in the triple jump (third, 11.27 m).
On the men's side Kovey Simmons finished second in the pole vault (4.80 m). Michael Landry (second, 23.19 sec) bested fellow Lion Jordan Rosemond (third, 23.21 sec)in the 200 meter dash and Rosemond also finished third in the 55 meter dash (6.63 sec).