BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Southeastern Louisiana men are in second place while the women are in fifth following Day One of the Southland Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships Sunday at the Birmingham Crossplex.

The SLU men's distance medley relay team won the event giving the Lions 10 points. The team of Grant O'Callaghan, Shea Foster, Gerald Coleman and Anthony Cordero finished the race in 10:00.42 breaking the school record by over eight seconds (10:08.66).

The Lady Lions' distance medley team finished second giving the Lady Lions eight points. The group of Tara Stuntz, Jamira Patterson, Sophie Daigle and Lindsey Hutcheson ran a 12:13.28 breaking a 20-year school record set by Araceli Ortega, Rachel McNeil, Michelle Blunt and Tamara Pearson Feb. 18, 2000 at the Southland Indoor Championships.

"It's good to end the day on a high note winning the medleys," said SLU track head coach.  "Everybody can go to bed tonight feeling pretty good going into tomorrow and then we'll see what happens. But overall day one went pretty well for us."

Slavko Stevic took home the title in the high jump for the Lions giving the men 10 more points. The freshman jumped six feet, 11 inches (2.11m) to secure the win.

James Benson II, the all-time Southland Conference record holder in the 400m (46.34), ran a 47.04 in the 400m for the top qualifying time in the event. The sophomore from Charleston, Illinois finished the 200m in 21.21 which was fourth in the prelims.

Johnathon Sawyer finished the 400m in 47.44 which was second behind only Benson II. Sawyer, a transfer from Grambling State, had the top time in the 200m running a 20.99 breaking Benson's school record from a week ago of 21.07.

Benson II and Sawyer will run in the 400m final Monday at 12:20 p.m. followed by the 200m at 1:20 p.m.

Daigle also put five points on the board for the Lady Lions after finishing fourth in the 5k. The Donaldsonville, Louisiana set another school record and personal best in the event running a 17:14.07.

In the women's pole vault, Lauren Zupanc scored three points for SLU finishing sixth. The freshman out of Slovenia had a mark of 11 feet, 2.5 inches (3.42m). Grace Walford, a senior from Lincoln, Kansas, finished fifth in the women's weight throw (55-7.5 – 16.95m) giving the Lady Lions four more points
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On the men's side, reigning Southland Conference Indoor Athlete of the Year DJ Ruffin finished fourth in the long jump 23-6.75 (7.18m). The Gautier, Mississippi native scored five points for SLU.

Grant O'Callaghan scored for SLU in the 5K. The junior finished fifth in a time of 14:43.61 giving the Lions four additional points.

Cole Belkwell and Adam Pennington both had seventh place finishes for two points each. Belkwell, a sophomore from Canada, had a mark of 53-7.75 (16.35m) in the weight throw. Pennington placed in the pole vault with a 15-3.50 (4.66m).

Armonte Paulk punched his ticket to the 60m finals. The sophomore from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania qualified for one of the eight spots in the finals Monday at 11:15 a.m. running a 6.89 Sunday in the prelims.

Also for the men, Foster qualified for the finals in the one-mile prelims finishing second. The senior will run in the final Monday morning at 11:45 a.m.

In the men's heptathlon, Brian Donna and Riccardo Klotz are in position to score for the Lions. Donna, the 2018 Southland Heptathlon Champion, is in third place while Klotz is in sixth with three events remaining.

Fans can follow live results of Day 2 by going to the Southeastern track schedule page on LionSports.Net.

Team Standings – Day 1:

Men - (Points)
 
1. Stephen F.Austin (36)
2. SLU (33)
3. Abilene Christian (29)
4. Sam Houston State (23)
5. McNeese (22)
6. Lamar (19)
T7. New Orleans (17)
T7. Northwestern State (17)
9. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (13)
10. UIW (10)
11. Houston Baptist (9)
12. Central Arkansas (5)
 
Women – (Points)
 
1. Stephen F. Austin (44.75)
2. Northwestern State (25) 
3. Abilene Christian (23)
4. Lamar (22)
5. SLU (20.75)
6. McNeese (18.75)
T7. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (18)
T7. Houston Baptist (18)
9. Sam Houston State (14)
10. UIW (12.75)
11. New Orleans (12)
12. Nicholls (3)
13. Central Arkansas (2)

PODIUM CLUB/S CLUB  
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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