Southern Illinois track and field will compete in the Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships beginning May 16 in Terra Haute, Indiana.
The event marks a key point in the season for the Salukis as they look to build on recent performances. The team competes at the NCAA Division I level within the Missouri Valley Conference, according to the official website.
Richard Jones, Director of Track and Field and Cross Country, said, “Championship weekend brings out the best in all teams and we are excited to show and prove this weekend. Both men and women have been training hard these last few weeks so I like our chances in the events that we are entered in.”
At their most recent meet, Leah Thames became the first woman in program history to run under 53 seconds in the 400-meter event with a time of 52.46 seconds. Layla Watson set a personal best for a top-five finish, while Savanna Franzen won her heat of the 800-meter with a season-best time of 2:20.13. Both men’s and women’s relay teams also reached podium positions.
Historically, Southern Illinois leads current conference members with 15 men’s outdoor titles but has not won since 2015; UNI and Indiana State have dominated recent years. The women’s team holds eight titles but has not claimed first place since consecutive wins in 2009-10.
Pre-championship polls released by The Valley ranked UNI as favorites for both men’s and women’s competitions. Southern Illinois was picked fourth among men’s programs behind UNI, Illinois State, and Indiana State.
The Lew Hartzog Track and Field Complex serves as Southern Illinois’ primary venue according to the official website. The program operates from Carbondale, Illinois according to its official site.
Events begin Saturday at Gibson Track & Field Complex with finals scheduled across two days including combined events such as decathlon and heptathlon alongside standard track disciplines.
