Dec. 5, 2009

Complete Results

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - Saint Louis opened its indoor track and field season on a high note Saturday, breaking four school records and placing first in several events at the ISU Open on the campus of Illinois State University in Bloomington, Ill.

"This was a great start to our season, probably our best season-opening meet ever," Billiken head coach Jon Bell said. "Hopefully, we can stay focused on our fitness over break and pick up where we left off next semester."

For the men, Justin Kwasa broke the school record in the weight throw with a heave of 57-9, surpassing his previous record of 54-3.75 set last season. Jordan Jennings placed fourth overall in the 800 meters, posting a school-record time of 1:58.07. Dahmar Smiles, who last year qualified for the US Junior Nationals in the 60-meter hurdles, shattered the school record in the event with a first-place time of 8.17.

Additional strong performances for the men's team included David Whelan's third-place finish in the 60-meter dash (7.09). Neal Rodrigues (9:15.46) finished second and third in the event, respectively.

On the women's side, newcomer Kalie Kirk had and impressive debut, winning and breaking the school record in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.91. She actually set two school records in the event, one in the prelims (9.00) and Kirk surpassed that time in the final.

Brittney Cloudy won the triple jump with a mark of 39-1.75. Sara Fraley won the 800 meters with a time of 2:21.12, while teammate Caitlin McCarthy was right on Fraley's heels, finishing second with a time of 2:21.91. Hilary Orf placed second in the 3,000 meters with a time of 10:52.89.

The Billikens are idle until next semester, when they compete in the Missouri Invitational in Columbia, Mo., Jan. 8, 2010.

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