Southeast Missouri State track and field opens season with dual-meet victory

The Southeast Missouri State track and field teams opened the 2016-17 season with a victory on Friday, defeating SIUE by a combined score of 140-114 at the SEMO Student Rec Center.

The men's team won 79-53, while the women finished tied at 61.

Local products made their collegiate debuts as Jackson graduate Carli Knott finished third in the 800-meter run in 2:36.81 and Scott City's Bella Bowers finished the event in 2:44.51.

Mariam Ajiroba set a new meet record in the women's 55-meter dash, winning in a time of 7.12 seconds, ahead of teammate Georgia Tomlinson (7.26).

Creshonna Crenshaw won the women's 200 in 26.65.

Andre Bluitt earned his first two victories as a Redhawk, claiming first in both the men's 55-meter (6.52) and 200-meter (23.59) races.

Jordan Barber won the men's 400 in a time of 50.25. In the women's race, Sasha Smith-Pollard took the top spot in 58.54.

Kameron Long won the 800, crossing the finish line in 1:58.36 for the men.

The women's mile went to Natalie Kopplin, in 5:21.27

Kaitlyn Shea and Sydney O'Brien both managed to top the facility's top mark in the women's 3000, running in 10:17.50 an 10:18.32, respectively.

Dan Plunkett posted the best time in the men's 3000, running a 9:02.38.

The night came to a close with the men's and women's 4x400-meter relay squads sweeping the event.

Southeast does not return to action until Jan. 20, when the Redhawks travel to Columbia, Missouri, for the Missouri Invitational.

— From staff reports