Results

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The University of South Alabama track and field programs wrapped up their indoor regular season Friday evening at the Bulldog Invitation in Birmingham, Ala.

Graduate-transfer Rickssen Opont continued his impressive indoor campaign by breaking the program record (17.43m) in the shot put for the third straight competition. Opont also improved the Indoor National Haitian record in the event, which he established earlier this season. 

Silje Lindstad also raced her way into the Jaguar record books with a new personal best of 9:57.40 in the 3,000-meter run. The time is the seventh fastest time in program history.

MEET INFORMATION
Date: Feb. 14
Meet: Bulldog Invitational 
Host: Samford 
Site: Birmingham CrossPlex (Birmingham, Ala.)

NOTES
- Opont had a lifetime best mark in the men's weight throw (17.46m) on his way to a third-place finish. He also won the men's shot put while breaking the program record (17.43m) for the third consecutive competition.
- Autavia Fluker placed third in the women's weight throw with her mark of 17.69m.
- Hunter Peters ran his way to a new personal record in the men's 60-meter hurdles. The time of 8.27 seconds was good for fifth place and fell just outside the top 10 performances in program history. Freshman Lester Davison also set a personal best in the event running it in 8.44 seconds.
- Christian Ellis finished second in the men's triple jump with a mark of 14.89m. Thad Porter placed fifth in the event with a new personal best of 14.24m also.
- Angeline Smit took second place in the women's shot put with a mark of 14.15m. Emilie Berge (12.63m) and Hanna-Mai Vaikla (12.54m) both set personal bests in the event placing sixth and seventh, respectively.
- Lindstad took fifth place in her race.
- 21 Jaguars set new personal bests at the Bulldog Invitational: Berge (shot put), Roccio Chaparro (long jump), Keith Davis (200m), Davison (60mH & 200m) Jeffery Del Bagno (weight throw), Javen Jackson (60m), Onesmus Kemboi (3000m), Shay Lee (800m), Lindstad (3000m), Adele Magaud (3000m), Josh Norris (200m), Opont (shot put & weight throw), Peters (60mH), Porter (triple jump), Kiara Risher (60m), Thomas Sand (3000m), Cam Stewart (400m), Micayah Upshaw (long jump), Vaikla (shot put), Abbey Wietenbeck (mile).   

UP NEXT
- The Jaguars will compete in the Sun Belt Indoor Track and Field Championship at the Birmingham CrossPlex Feb. 24 and 25.

THEY SAID IT
Head coach Paul Brueske
- On the Bulldog Invitational: "We are moving in the right direction. We had numerous personal and season bests today. We have a few odd little injuries and other issues we need to address this week so that our athletes are feeling good going into the conference championship."
- On Rickssen Opont's indoor season: "Rickssen has been working hard and is making steady improvements each week. I believe that this is a trend that we will continue to see with him." 
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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