BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Rafael Scott won the men's 60-meter dash while Ashley Heitling claimed the women's 3,000-meter run Sunday to highlight the University of South Alabama men's and women's track and field program's performance at the Jaguar Invitational, which was held at the Birmingham CrossPlex.

Scott crossed the line in the finals with a time of 6.67 seconds — his fastest of the year — to win the race by a .15-second margin, while Heitling's mark of 10:09.56 was her best of the season as she finished over 12 seconds ahead of her nearest competitor.  Behind their efforts both the Jaguar men and women posted 10 top-five performances.

MEET INFORMATION
Event: Jaguar Invitational
Date: 2/4
Host: South Alabama
Site: Birmingham CrossPlex
Results

NOTES
-It was the second straight meet that Scott has won the men's 60-meter dash.
-Michaela Preachuk moved up to second on the school's all-time record list in the women's weight throw with a career-long 18.61m toss, ending up third in the event standings.
-Niel Giliomee cleared a height of 5.22m to come in second in the men's pole vault, moving up to second on the school's all-time performance list as well.
-Olivia Swan and Taylor Dames both posted marks of 1.69m in the women's high jump to come in second and third place, respectively, as Swan moved into third on the school's all-time performance list with the best effort of her career.
-Autavia Fluker (14.11m) and Angeline Smit (14.07m) were also second and third, respectively, in the women's shot put, with the latter recording the best throw of her career.
-Both Warno Potgieter (4:11.80) and Ben Rolader (4:12.34) posted career-best times in the men's mile run to cross the line second and third overall, respectively; they were the top two collegiate finishers in the race.
-Berron Tyson and Hunter Peters each qualified for the finals of the men's 60-meter hurdle, with Tyson coming in third after recording a career-best 8.19 second time in the preliminary heats.
-Thomas Boyd placed fourth in the men's shot put with a mark of 6.11m.

QUOTE FROM COACH BRUESKE
"It seems that Rafael is getting it figured out, he is getting more and more relaxed so I think he is going to peak at the right time; I think he is on the right track and will put it all together here real soon.  It was very good to see Ashley have such a great performance today, she has had some injuries in the past but we really need her so it's great to have her back.  It was good competition at the meet.  I think we are showing gradual improvement in many different areas, which is what you want to see.  We still have work to do, but I think we are still going to get better and the best has yet to come."

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).

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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