Saluki track and field had an exciting weekend at the PNC Lenny Lyles Invitational in Louisville, Kentucky. Ten athletes achieved personal bests, and many solidified their rankings in the Missouri Valley Conference.
Weston Jokerst was a standout again. Just a week after breaking the school record in the 1,000 meters by over four seconds, he set another personal best in the 800 meters. He finished his heat with a time of 1:53.81, placing 16th out of 82 runners. Shane Ashton also impressed with a second-place finish in the men’s 200 meters, clocking in at 21.58—an indoor personal record that exceeds his outdoor best.
Hannah Meiser continued her strong performance by breaking her mile personal best for the second straight meet. Malik Allen now leads the MVC in the men’s triple jump, placing fourth with a jump of 15.25 meters. Tiara Murray achieved a career-best of 5.26 meters in the Open Jump event. Ben Chance, competing indoors for the first time, posted an impressive mark of 15.07.
Christian Coleman ran a new personal best, finishing in under 8:00, while his teammate Kwame Smith, a recent transfer, also set a personal record in the men’s 200 meters. Riley Linville excelled in the women’s 5,000 meters, clocking in at 18:08. Both Smith and Ashton claimed victory in their respective 200-meter heats, and Drew Tyman improved his time by two seconds from the previous weekend.
The men’s 4×400-meter relay team, featuring Jokerst, Ashton, Kwame Smith, and Jalen Dickerson, now holds the top spot in the Missouri Valley Conference. Meanwhile, the women’s relay team, consisting of Leah Thames, Trinity Cleaver, Layla Watson, and Vashti Grey, ranks second in the conference. They finished ahead of Ashland, Alabama Huntsville, and Lipscomb.
This weekend wasn’t just about personal achievements; it showcased the team’s growth and competitiveness. With the conference rankings continually evolving, the Salukis are making their mark in the world of collegiate athletics.
For more details on the Salukis’ performance and updates on the Missouri Valley Conference, check out the official MVC Statistics page.
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