Southern Illinois University
Mt. SAC Relays
Salukis have solid second day in California
04/18/2015 | 12:00:00 | Track and Field
By Tyler Wooten
SIUSalukis.com
WALNUT, Calif. -- Saluki track and field had several impressive performances at different meets across the Los Angeles area on Friday as part of Day Two of Southern's stay at the Mt. SAC Relays, Bryan Clay Invitational and Beach Invitational.
Southern had several solid performances at Mt. SAC in Hilmer Lodge Stadium, but none were more impressive than senior Curtis Wideman's show in the open shot put. On his final throw, Wideman uncorked one for 18.96m (62-02.50) for a massive round of cheers from the shot put pit. But two throws later, USC freshman Nicholas Ponzio let one fly for 19.26m (63-02.25) for the win. Wideman now ranks tied with Saluki great John Marks for fourth all-time outdoors at SIU, a four-foot outdoor PR and a three-inch overall best that pushes him to 18th in the NCAA and eighth in the NCAA West Region.
Also getting a solid day's work completed in the field events was senior Luke James, who finished fourth in the open triple jump. James hit an outdoor season-best 15.69m (51-05.75), an outdoor personal best which ranks ninth-best in school history. James now ranks 18th in the NCAA and tied for sixth in the West Region.
Not to be outdone, the Saluki track athletes made a little noise of their own on the big stage at Mt. SAC. Sophomore Nikolai Gall hit a new career best in the 400 meter dash, finishing 11th overall after winning his heat on a time of 47.48 seconds -- toppling his previous best 47.55 at the 2013 MVC Outdoor Championships as a freshman.
Speaking of freshmen, Saluki first year sprinter Mystique Thompson continued to impress. In the 100 meter dash, Thompson hit a new PR for the third-straight week at a legal 11.79 seconds. That time was good for second in her heat and 25th overall, but it's also the seventh-best in SIU history.
Finally, senior Mobola Rotibi came out hot in the 800 meter, but several unfortunate collisions in the corner cost her what could have been a career day. Rotibi still ran an excellent 2:10.98 in the 800 for 25th place and fourth in her heat.
Just up the road at Azusa Pacific, the Saluki pole vaulters had yet another field day, sweeping both events. Sophomore Cara Engel won her second career title in as many weeks on a clearance of 3.91m (12-10.00). Both Jonathan Walsh and Chad Weaver tied for the win in the men's pole vault at 5.06m (16-07.25). For Weaver, that height is an outdoor PR and ranks ninth-best in school history. Nathan Schuck also had a solid day in the pole vault, tying for sixth at an overall PR height of 4.91m (16-01.25).
Players Mentioned
