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Salukis place first in seven events at first indoor meet

Anything the men did, Amarachi Ukabam did better.

Ukabam, a junior transfer from Ohio State, not only broke two school records in the women's weight throw (64-07.75) and shot put (54-06.00) at the Saluki Fast Start Invitational, but nearly threw a meter farther than the winner in the both men's events.

She also qualified provisionally in both events for the NCAA Indoor Championships.

"I'm just really happy that I did it so early," Ukabam said. "I hope that I can just keep on breaking it and breaking it and keep getting better as the season progresses," Ukabam followed former Ohio State throws coach and now Saluki throws coach John Smith to SIU.

"To me, he is the best coach in the country," Ukabam said. "I don't trust my body with anyone else."

SIU placed first in seven events in its own Fast Start Invitational. The Invitational, the first meet of the indoor season, was not scored.

Southeast Missouri State, Lindsay Wilson College and the Illinois men's team came to the Recreation Center to compete against the Salukis.

"Everybody is a little sluggish with finals week, but everyone is training really hard, and at this meet, we are just working to see where everyone is at," head coach Connie Price-Smith said.

The women placed in the top six in the weight throw. Senior Venisha Williams finished second behind Ukabam with a throw of 59-02.00. Junior Janine Batchelor and senior Katy Ritten tied for third with personal bests of 58-01.00.

SIU senior Mark Milleville won the men's weight throw with a throw of 61-03.50, followed by Matt Weishaar in second (59-06.25). Sophomore Brenton Siemons (55-09.25) and freshman Joe Mueller (53-01.00) placed third and fourth.

Siemons also placed second in shot put with a throw of 52-07.25.

In the men's high jump, Fred Rule tied for second with a jump of 6-08.00.

Sophomore Marcus Turner (45-10.75) and senior Inna Turevsky (38-05.00) both placed third in the men's and women's triple jump.

In the running events, the Saluki women took the top five spots with senior Kelsey Toussiant (1:38.37) in first, followed by sophomores Sherlenia Green (1:39.01) and Marquita Vines (1:39.24). Sophomore April Heath (1:39.24) and senior Sheree Ledweel (1:40.69) finished fourth and fifth.

Sophomores Maleah While (8.47) and Leslie Murillo (8.52) placed second and third in the women's 55-meter hurdles.

Freshman Andrea Norris (7.23) placed third in the women's 55-meter dash, followed by freshman Caryce Porter (7.52) in fourth.

The Salukis will take a month-long break from competition until hosting the next the Saluki Booster Jan. 21 and 22.

Until then, Price-Smith said some of the athletes will stay and train, while others will go home for the holidays.

"Hopefully they will keep training during break, and then when we get back the first week of school," Price-Smith said. "Hopefully, they will be where they left off or even better."