Leeth, Schirmer and Stuart automatically qualify for the NCAA Championships day one of regionals

May 29, 2009

By Shalae Patrick
www.siusalukis.com

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LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Three Southern Illinois track and field athletes punched their tickets to the NCAA Championships next month in Arkansas by finishing in the top-five in their respective events at the 2009 Mideast Regional Championships Friday.

Two-time All-American Bianca Stuart won the women's long jump title in her final regional competition with her last jump of the day, 21-05.50 (6.40m).

Jeff Schirmer, ranked 17th heading into today's 5,000-meter run, kept himself in the hunt the entire race kicking with just over 100-meters to go for fourth-place in the event in 14:09.19, eighth all-time at SIU.

In the women's hammer, Sasha Leeth finished fourth tossing herself to nationals with a personal-best 201-05 (61.40m), second all-time in program history. Gwen Berry finished seventh with a career-best throw of 195-06 (59.58m), in a good position to grab an at-large bid to nationals.

Jeneva McCall threw 157-09 (48.08m) in the discus for 13th.

In the women's 100-meter hurdles Meredith Hayes finished 10th just missing finals by two spots in 13.60.

Kendra Deck finished 16th in the women's 400-meter hurdles in 1:00.89.

In the men's shot put, Tom Smith finished 26th with a toss of 50-10.25 (15.50m) and Joe Paradiso finished 28th at 48-07.50 (14.82m).

Stevie Warren ran 21.38 in the men's 200-meter dash for 20th place.

The women's team sits in second place behind Arkansas (20) with 17 points. The men scored five points to put the team in 14th place with Arkansas also leading the men's race with 28.

Competition will conclude Saturday with eight events for the Salukis.