Preparations for the 2002 Southwestern Athletic Conference Outdoor Championships continued as the team participated in the University of New Orleans Track and Field Invitational held March 8-9.
“It was our second week out so we were able to put some of our practice into being, our first week was trial and era. The second week was more really putting the team together and we were able to see some things,” said Southern head coach Johnny Thomas.
In the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase Charles Moon placed first with the time of 10:19.67 seconds.
In the 100-meter dash Brian Johnson qualified for nationals with the time of 10.28 seconds placing first.
In the 400-meter hurdles Jamie McLendon placed first with a time of 54.21, Che Kmani placed second with time of 55.51.
“I think I had a pretty good race in the 400-meter hurdle. In the 110-meter hurdles last week I felt like I lost my rhythm I got it back this week at practice,” said McLendon.
The SU men also did well in the relay races placing first in both races. In the 4×100 relays they with a time of 40.38 seconds and in the 4×400 the team finished with a time of 3:14.35 seconds
In the high jump Michael McKinney place first with a jump of 6-9 3/4.
In the long jump Brain Johnson had the best jump in the nations, automatically qualifying for nationals with a jump of 27-4.
“Our field people did a wonderful job,” said Coach Thomas.
Men’s discus thrower Richard Celestine placed first with a 1throwing 148-7.
Hammer thrower Austin Mumphrey placed first throwing 141-2.
On the women’s side LaToya Johnson placed first in the 400-meter dash with a time of 57:84 seconds.
Francella Williams placed first in both hurdle races, with a time of 14.36 seconds in the 100-meter and in the 400-meter hurdles with the time of 1:02.
The women’s team placed first in the 4×400 with a time of 3:48.93.
The track team will be in action this weekend, March 23-24, in the Texas A&M Relays, to be held in Houston.