BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Kendal White smashed a 48-year-old school record as the South Alabama Track and Field team wrapped up a strong opening weekend at the Samford Invitational / Multis Clash Saturday afternoon.
"Good start to the season," head coach Paul Brueske said." We had several athletes get personal bests, we had a school record in the hurdles, and we identified several athletes that have the potential to help the team in the Conference this year."
Senior Kendal White had a phenomenal showing, besting former Jag Jody Huddlestons' school record in the 60-meter hurdles that was originally set in 1977 (7.95) with a time of 7.94 seconds.
Freshman Presleigh Montalvo showed out in the first meet of her collegiate career, posting a time of 7.65 in the 60 meters, earning third place and moving her to fifth place in the Jags' all-time indoor record books.
Oklahoma Baptist transfer Flora Dupans etched her name into the Jags' all-time rankings by setting a new personal best in the weight throw, launching a toss of 14.86 meters (48'9") to secure seventh place all-time in the South Alabama record books.
Newcomer from UAB, Megan Hamilton-Strong started the Jag women off strong on Thursday with a dominating finish in the pentathlon, logging a point total of 3362 to secure the first event win of the season. Strong posted a new personal best time of 9.00 in the 60-meter hurdles to help claim the win.
South's throwers also had impressive outings. Veteran senior and current shot put program record holder Sebastian Loschner posted a fourth-place finish after recording a throw of 17.98 meters (59'0"). Redshirt freshman Bobby Gray had a stellar weekend, registering two new personal records, claiming fifth place in the shot put with a throw of 16.73 meters and a ninth-place finish in the weight throw with a 17.28 meter (56'8.5") toss.
The Jaguars claimed three top-five finishes in the women's and men's pole vault. In his collegiate debut, Will Fredrick earned a clearance of 4.96 meters (16 '3.25"), making him 10th all-time in the Jaguar record books. On the women's side, reigning outdoor conference silver medalist and regionals qualifier Alexis Gratia tied for second place with a height of 3.82 meters (12 '6.25"). Marshall transfer Dianna Goodman secured fifth place in the pole vault with a late-round clearance of 3.82 meters (12 '6.25").
2024 Sun Belt Men's Indoor Newcomer of the Year Sacha Perrier logged two top-five finishes in the 3000 meters and the mile. Perrier earned third in the 3000 meters with an 8.26.59 time before taking fifth in the mile with a 4.15.87.
2024 outdoor decathlon silver medalist Nic Glass picked up a third-place finish in the heptathlon with a total of 4871 points.
Jamie Willis and Allie Germann also had impressive performances in the pentathlon. Willis placed fourth with a total of 3198 points, and Germann placed right behind her in fifth with 3187 points.
Up Next
South Alabama will head to the University of Minnesota for the Minnesota Indoor Invite next weekend on Friday, Jan.24 and Saturday, Jan.25.
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