PITTSBURG, Kan. – The Southeastern Louisiana track team opens the indoor season Saturday sending four student-athletes, including Donovan Storr, D.J. Ruffin, James Benson II and Johnathon Sawyer, to the Pittsburg State Invitational at Harvey Dean Track.

Sawyer will compete in the 400m at 5:15 p.m. while Benson II, Storr, and Ruffin will all be in action in the 200m at 6:55 p.m. All four will compete together in the men's 4x400m relay at 8:20 p.m.
 
Ruffin, a senior, is poised for a dynamite season after being named the Southland Conference Indoor Athlete of the Year last season. The Gautier, Mississippi native won the indoor conference championship in the high jump and long jump and finished second in the 400m and 4x400m relay. However, Ruffin will not compete in jump events this weekend due to an ankle injury.
 
"D.J. was going to long jump but is nursing a minor ankle injury," said SLU track head coach Corey Mistretta. "So we have decided to just sprint with him. But he is excited to see what kind of 200m he can run."
 
Storr, an Andros, Bahamas native, had a spectacular debut season for the Lions a year ago. The senior finished second in the Southland Conference Outdoor Championships May 5^th in Natchitoches, Louisiana in the 400m. A transfer from Iowa Western Community College, Storr also qualified for the Southland Conference Indoor Championship finals in the 400m. 
 
"Donovan has been very good this fall," said Mistretta. "I believe he is ready to run very well and I think his senior season will be an exciting one to watch."
 
Benson II, out of Charleston, Illinois, helped the 4x400 team finish third in the Southland Outdoor Championship. The sophomore turned heads over the summer finishing third in the AAU National Championships with a time of 47.4 in the 400m drawing the praise of Mistretta.
 
"James is coming off of a very successful freshman year and summer," said Mistretta. "He is in a really good place right now and we are excited about his sophomore campaign."
 
Sawyer, a transfer from Grambling State who arrived to SLU in last August, could be a vital piece of the puzzle for the Lions. The senior boasts a blazing 46.50 personal best in the 400m.
 
"Johnathon has brought very good energy to this group," said Mistretta. "He has transitioned well to our training program and has helped motivate others as well."
 
Saturday's meet will be rare for the Lions as SLU hasn't competed in a December meet since Dec. 2, 2011 at the Arkansas State Invitational.
 
"We generally just wait until after the new year to begin the season," said Mistretta. "However, we wanted to take an early look at some of the guys since we have a very strong long sprint group this year. We want to give them an opportunity to see where they are after a successful fall training cycle. All four have been impressive in our fall testing events, which makes me believe they are ready. I'm looking forward to watching them compete against some quality competition."
 
Fans can follow live results of Saturday's meet by going to the Southeastern track schedule page on LionSports.Net.
 
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Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the track and field program are encouraged to join the Podium Club. Lion alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners. All membership fees and donations to Podium Club are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern track and field program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
 
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