BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Bradley Makuvire (5k) and Slavko Stevic (high jump) won conference titles in their respective events while the men's DMR broke the school record for the Southeastern Louisiana University track and field team Sunday during the first day of the 2022 Southland Conference Indoor Championships at the Birmingham Crossplex.
 
Makuvire, out of Zvishavane, Zimbabwe, outlasted Texas A&M-Corpus Christi's Dennis Kipngeno by less than a second to claim the 5k championship in 14:08.34, giving the Lions 10 points.
 
Stevic claimed his second career Southland Indoor high jump title Sunday. The Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia native jumped 6-10.75 (2.10m) to win the championship, adding to his 2020 crown and giving the men's team an additional 10 points.
 
Later in the day, Makuvire helped the men's DMR to a second place finish in a school record 10:00.32. He was joined by Julius Kemper, Noah Kiprotich and Agerian Jackson as the group nipped the previous school high mark of 10:00.42 set at the 2020 Southland Indoor Championships.
 
Thomas Nedow had a nice outing in the weight throw finishing third. The Brockville, Canada native fired his sixth attempt 58-7.5 (17.80m) adding six more points to the men's side.
 
In the long jump, Wjuantereuas Rodrigue finished fifth (23-6.25, 7.17m) to put four points on the board.
 
On the women's side, Kristian Jackson (weight throw) and Chelsea Harrington (long jump) both finished on the podium for the Lady Lions with Jackson placing second and Harrington third.
 
Jackson set a personal best in the weight throw 59-9.75 (18.23m) on her fourth attempt to finish runner up in the event. Katrine Olsen finished sixth in the weight throw for the Lady Lions to give SLU 11 points.
 
Harrington, out of Slidell, Louisiana, earned her way to the long jump podium with a 19-2.75 (5.86m) mark to add an additional six points to the Lady Lions.
 
In the pole vault, Lara Zupanc and Thais Gomes each scored for the Lady Lions. Zupanc placed fifth for four points while Gomes was eighth for one point.
 
In the prelims, Eugene Omalla, Gerson Pozo and Agerian Jackson all advanced to the men's 400m final Monday. Indya Jackson also punched her ticket to the women's 200m and 400m final. Kiprotich (800m) and Kemper (1-mile) also advanced to the finals in their respective events.
 
At the end of the opening day, the Lions sit in third place in the team standings with 38 points while the Lady Lions are in sixth with 22 points. A&M-Corpus Christi leads the way on the men's side with 54.5 points while McNeese leads the women's side with 60 points.
 
"I am excited about the way the team competed today," said SLU track and field head coach Corey Mistretta. "We still have a lot of work to do and will continuing pressing across all event areas. We had a few really good things happen on the women's side today and should put a few more points up tomorrow. I am excited to see the continue to improve. The men battled really well today and sitting in third place after day one is encouraging. I look forward to seeing how the finals qualifiers and other events go tomorrow. Bradley continues to lead the team with the way he competes. Kristian Jackson was really good today making a huge personal breakthrough with her new PB and silver medal. Slavko continues his dominance over the conference in the high jump, but I know he isn't satisfied and wants more from himself. And, the men's DMR ended our day on a really high note breaking the school record and winning the silver medal. Hopefully their performance will help carry us into tomorrow with a little confidence."
 
Fans can follow the final day of the meet with live video and results available at the Southeastern track and field schedule page located at LionSports.Net.
 
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.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Track and Field, follow @LionUpTrack and @CoreyMistretta on Twitter, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube. channel.