MOBILE, Ala. – After winning both the men's and women's team competitions at the Jaguar Opener to begin the spring season, the University of South Alabama track and field squads will be traveling to Samford for the Battle of I-65. The meet will take place on Saturday at the Samford Track and Soccer Complex with events starting at 11:30 a.m.

Other teams competing this weekend include: Alabama Birmingham, Alabama State, Samford and Tiffin. 

"It should be a good, competitive meet," commented head track and field coach Paul Brueske. "What we are looking for is to build on our performances at the Jaguar Opener."

The Jags will be sending nearly a full squad to the Battle of I-65 including Kaitlyn Beans, Nick Farrell, Renaldo Frechou, Jan-Louw Kotze, LaMia Miller, Barbara Rivera and Berron Tyson, who all earned individuals wins that helped the Jags to their victory at their the first spring meet, which USA hosted at Jaguar Track.

Kotze and Beans earned multiple victories for South Alabama during the Jaguar Opener.  Kotze had first-place finishes in the shot put and the discus while Beans earned victories in the long jump and the triple jump. 

Beans holds the school record in the outdoor triple jump with a 13.19m mark that she recorded last season. Kotze holds the school record in the discus with a throw of 58.41m last year, with Frechou also an outdoor track record holder in the hammer throw with a distance of 67.64m; his 66.57 mark last weekend in the event was the best in the nation.

The Jaguars hosted and won the Battle of I-65 meet last year. 

"We had some kids that had some good performances, but in some cases they were a little rusty," said Brueske. "This meet we just want to keep moving forward, progressing and improving."

Results from the meet will be posted on the Jaguar athletics website following the conclusion of Saturday's events.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

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