Results

MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama men's and women's track and field programs claimed the top three spots in 21 events, including two new school records at the USA Invitational on Friday evening.

Senior Autavia Fluker broke her school record in the hammer throw with a first-place 66.11m effort, with her mark being the top performance in the league. Freshman Bodine Degli-Umberti also set a new regular season school record in the discus throw (51.19m), claiming second in the same event.  

MEET INFORMATION
Date: 3/12
Event: USA Invitational
Host: South Alabama
Site: Jaguar Track (Mobile, Ala.)

NOTES
Men's Field
- Rickssen Opont took first place in the shot put with a 17.64m distance.
- David Dolan earned a victory in the pole vault (5.25m), moving his mark to third on USA's all-time performance list. Noah Mumme claimed second in the same event with a 4.95m mark.
- Francois Prinlsoo's first-place effort in the discus throw (54.03m) ranks fourth in Jaguar history. Sebastian Loschner placed third in the same event (49.06m).
- Seven Jaguars recorded personal bests in their respective events: Loschner (shot put), Prinsloo (shot put, discus throw and hammer throw), Cade Marty (javelin throw), Jeb Barber (javelin throw), Dolan (pole vault) Jeffrey Del Bango (hammer throw), and Victor Turek (discus throw and hammer throw).
Women's Field
- Hanna-Mai Vaikla placed first in the javelin throw with a 44.21 effort, while Emilie Berge finished third in the same event with a 39.28m mark.
- Ina Edstrom's 3.81m effort earned her the top spot in the pole vault, while Stefanie Dadayeva finished third in the same event with a height of 3.66m.
- Fluker and Degli-Umberti finished second (16.00m) and third (15.59) respectively in the shot put. Degli-Umberti's career-best mark currently ranks third in USA program history. Colette Uys's effort in the same event is the seventh-best mark on South's all-time performance list.
- Degli-Umberti also claimed third in the hammer throw with a 52.41m distance.
- Berge's height in the high jump (1.69m) was good enough for a second-place finish, while Kiara Risher followed in third with a 1.64m effort.
- Uys placed third in the discus throw (49.66m), with her mark ranking third in program history.
- Six Jaguars recorded personal bests in their respective events: Fluker (hammer throw), Degli-Umberti (shot put and discus throw), Uys (shot put, hammer throw, discus throw), Lucy Raynor (shot put), Darrice Grace (discus throw) and Amber Powell (discus throw).

Men's Running
- Joey Zayszly posted a personal best of 14.33s to place second in the 110m hurdles. After competing unattached, Kendal White finished third in the same event with a time of 14.44s. He also ran a 10.82s race to place third in the 100m.
- Warno Potgieter recorded a third-place finish after crossing the line at 3:58.54 in the 1500m.
- Javen Jackson crossed the line at 54.37s for a third-place finish in the 400m hurdles.
- The 4 x 400 medley relay secured third place by completing the event in 3:20.18.
- Five Jaguars recorded personal bests in their respective events: Zayszly (110m hurdles), White (110m hurdles and 200m), Charlie Slaughter (1500m), Collins (110m hurdles), and Jean-Pierre Le Roux (1500m).

Women's Running
- Cierra Hedrick ran a personal best time of 11.83s in the 100m to take first place.
- The 4 x 100 medley race team covered the distance in 47.59s to claim the top spot in the event, while the 4 x 400 medley race time finished third after crossing the line at 4:02.61.
- Darnesha Harris clocked in at 1:05.60 for a second-place finish in the 400m hurdles.
- Sile Lindstad's 4:33.21 time in the 1500m ranks fifth on the program's all-time performance list.
- Shay Lee's effort in the 800m (2:19.69) was good enough for a third-place finish.
- Six Jaguars recorded personal best in their respective events: Rocio Chaparro (100m hurdles), Shateaya Ligon (100m hurdles), Lindstad (1500m), Susanna Pudner (1500m), Abbey Weitenbeck (1500m), and Hedrick (100m).
UP NEXT
- The Jaguars will compete in the Tiger Track Classic March 19-20 in Auburn, Ala.
    
THEY SAID IT
Head Coach Paul Brueske
- On the USA Invitational: "We had a lot of great performances today. Colette [Uys] had three personal records after coming off of an injury. We had many other student-athletes set new personal records in their events. We had a great, productive meet. It's early in the season, but we have the potential to have a great season as long as we stay focused and strive to improve as the season progresses." 

- On Fluker's performance: "She's a great example of what you can accomplish with talent and hard work. She's a great role model for the younger athletes. She has a lot of potential, and she's a dedicated, well-rounded athlete. However, her success did not come overnight. While everyone was on break, she stayed behind, and we trained. She puts in the work, and that's why she's successful."

- On Degli-Umberti's performance: "She came in during a big transition, and she struggled as a freshman. She made some adjustments throughout the season and established herself as a leader right away in the conference in all three events. She is a very determined and hardworking athlete, and it showed today."

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.