SAN MARCOS, Texas – The University of South Alabama women's track and field team finished day two of the Sun Belt Tournament Outdoor Championships with a total of 84 points, stretching its lead to 27.5 over second-place Appalachian State. The men's team has 23 points and is sixth entering the final day of competition.
 
Emilie Berge earned 5.632 points in the heptathlon to set a new Sun Belt and USA record. The point total is sixth in the NCAA Division I East standings and 15th overall on the NCAA Division I performance list.

MEET INFORMATION
Event: 2018 Sun Belt Conference Outdoor Championships
Dates: May 11-13
Host: Texas State 
Site: Bobcat Track & Field Stadium
Results
ESPN Coverage Day 3

NOTES
Men's Running Events
-Rafael Scott advanced to Sunday's 100m dash final with a 10.40-second (3.3) time in the preliminaries. Alex Elam recorded a 10.49-second (3.6) finish, while Thad Porter finished in 10.59 seconds (2.5).
-Larry Lombard ran a personal-best 1:53.78 in the 800m preliminaries and will advance to Sunday's final.
-Ben Rolader claimed fourth place and picked up five points for the team with a 9:25.29 time in the 3,000m steeplechase.
-Hunter Peters completed the 110m hurdles preliminaries in 15.88 seconds (1.0).
 
Women's Running Events
-Carolien Millenaar earned third-team all-conference honors and added eight points to the team total with an 11:01.22 time in the 3,000m steeplechase.
-Cierra Hedrick advanced to Sunday's 100m final after finishing the preliminaries in 11.75 seconds (3.2). Elysa Griffin covered the distance in 12.11 seconds (5.1).
-Cindy von Ahlefeldt recorded a 2:22.28 time in the 800m preliminaries.
-Taylor Dames ran the 100m hurdles preliminaries in 14.15 seconds (3.3) and Berge completed the race in 14.56 seconds (3.3).
 
Men's Field Events
- Thomas Boyd had a 15.74m (51-07.75) shot put effort. Matt Weinhold recorded a season-best 15.12m (49-07.25) throw to end his Jaguar career.
-Sam Brown recorded a career-best 6.75m (22-01.75) (3.3) long jump effort on his second attempt. Keith Davis had a 6.46m (21-02.50) (1.4) jump on his third attempt.
 
Women's Field Events
-Berge had top-three finishes in all three of today's heptathlon events, including a personal-best long jump of 5.80m (19-00.50) (2.1) and a season-best 2:19.82 time in the 800m. The sophomore also had a 37.84m (124-01.75) javelin throw.
-Hanna-Mai Vaikla recorded a personal-best, 5.77m (18-11.25) (2.2) long jump to finish sixth and earn three points for the women's team. Griffin's 5.73m (18-09.75) (3.7) effort was a season-long mark. Berge had a 5.56m (18-03.00) (4.6) jump, and Kriszti Szabo landed at 5.32m (17-05.50) (1.4.).
-Dames collected eight points in the high jump with a runner-up, 1.77m (5-09.75) finish. Olivia Swan took seventh place and earned two points with a 1.69m (5-06.50) height, and Berge tied for 10th with a 1.64m (5-04.50) jump.
-Jessie Droogsma's season-best 46.29m (151-10.25) discus throw picked up three points, and Angeline Smit's 43.88m (143-11.50) effort added one more. Esherika Hawkins had a 41.86m (137-04.00) throw on her first attempt. Halee Thomas' best throw, 34.15m (112-00.25), was on her third attempt.
 
UP NEXT
The Jaguars will complete this year's Sun Belt Conference Outdoor Championships Sunday beginning at 11 a.m. with the men's discus.

QUOTES FROM COACH BRUESKE
On Emilie Berge setting a new Sun Belt Heptathlon record… "Emilie did a fantastic job. She is now ranked among the best in the NCAA. We are very proud of her effort."
 
On the team's mentality entering the final day of competition… "It is important for us to come out focused and ready to compete tomorrow."
 
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/WeAreSouth_JAGS. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
 
Join the Finish Line Club, the track and field and cross country specific support club of the Jaguar Athletic Fund.  All donations to the Finish Line Club go directly to support the South Alabama track and field/cross country programs.  For more information on how you can join visit:  jaguarathleticfund.com/finishlineclub
 
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