Some of the best major programs in the country and the director of athletics competed at both meets Richard Jones he believes this gives his team extra focus.
“Attending these meetings provides enough focus and makes us strive to maintain the goals we have set for this season,” he said.
The men's and women's 4×400-meter relay squads highlighted the weekend after winning their respective group finals in the Penn Relays.
Women's group Vashti Gray, Leah Thames, Selisa Palmer AND Tenna Bell he improved his best time of the season by almost 5 seconds, achieving a time of 3:42.87. Gray was part of last year's team that also won the event.
The men's team soon followed Shane Ashton, Xavier Preston, Marius Coleman AND Jeremiah Hamilton won their competition with a time of 3:10.90. Ashton and Preston were also part of last year's team that took first place in the relays.
Jones holds Penn's relay teams in high regard and believes these types of victories remind athletes of who they can be on the track.
“It can be stressful at times, but these wins validate the caliber of program we strive to become,” he said.
The remaining Salukis gave promising performances at various Music City Challenge events.
Here are the athletes who achieved personal bests on the second day of the Music City Challenge:
For the full weekend breakdown, check out Get to know the results.
IN THE FUTURE
The Salukis will begin preparations for the Missouri Valley Conference Championships, which begin on Friday, May 10 in Terre Haute, Indiana.
FOLLOW THE SALUKIS
For the latest updates on Saluki, follow the team on X (@SIUTrackXC), Instagram (@SIUTrackXC) and Facebook (@SalukiTrackAndField).
