SIU Track & Field: Murray sets another record for Salukis at SIU Invitational
The Saluki track and field teams came out strong on Friday, earning five event titles, including several personal bests and school records in Day One of the SIU Invitational.
At the conclusion of Day One, both the men's and women's teams lead the meet by a landslide. The Saluki women totaled 75 points, with the next closest team - Southeast Missouri - coming in at 26 points. Similarly, the men lead the pack with 68.50 points, topping second-place Southeast Missouri by 44 points.
For the fourth time this season, freshman Lindsey Murray broke SIU's all-time indoor pole vault record, this time clearing a height of 4.30m (14-01.25). Murray originally broke SIU's all-time record in her first meet as a Saluki, clearing 4.02m (13-02.25). She has since topped her own mark in each of SIU's last three meets. Murray was ranked 18th going into this weekend's meet, and has advanced to No. 6 following her performance on Friday night.
Junior Jonathan Walsh earned a title for the Salukis in pole vault as well, clearing 5.07m (16-07.50), a new personal best. With Friday's first-place finish, Walsh now holds the top two highest marks for Saluki men's pole vault this season.
The Salukis dominated in weight throw, nabbing titles and personal bests on both the men's and women's sides. Senior DeAnna Price got things started for SIU, throwing 21.34m (70-00.25) to claim first place. With her final mark - a personal best - Price is one of only six women in Saluki history to throw for at least 70 feet. She is the second this season, after Sophia Lozano threw for 21.57m (70-09.25) at the Saluki Fast Start Meet in December. Lozano threw 20.74m (68-00.50) to take second place on Friday.
Senior Curtis Wideman also had a standout day for the Salukis, taking first place in men's weight throw with a personal best 21.25m (69-08.75) mark. Wideman's throw is the longest of the season for the Salukis, and moves him up three slots to rank No. 3 for SIU's all-time indoor weight throw record, ousting Bradley Sauer who previously held that position. Sauer, now fourth all-time for the Salukis, finished second in weight throw with a 20.89m (68-06.50) mark.
SIU's final title of the night came from sophomore Franklin Adams jumping 7.32m (24-00.25) to take first in long jump. Sophomore Kyle Landon followed in second place with a 7.20m (23.07.50) mark.