Feb. 5, 2010

Frank Sevigne Invitational Heat Sheets | Keck Invitational Heat Sheets

What's on Tap?: In its final competition before the Atlantic 10 Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships, Saint Louis track and field will send athletes two events this weekend. Some will travel to the University of Nebraska for the Frank Sevigne Invitational, while the rest of the Billiken contingent will compete at the Bob Keck Invitational at Illinois Wesleyan University.

Schedule: The Frank Sevigne Invitational at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln, Neb., begins Friday evening at 6 p.m. and resumes Saturday at noon. The Bob Keck Invitational kicks off Saturday at 11 a.m. That meet will be held at Shirk Center on the IWU campus in Bloomington, Ill.

Record Breakers: Several Billikens have broken school records this season. On the men's side, Justin Kwasa has set SLU standards in the shot put (43-4.5) and weight throw (58-4.75). Jordan Jennings posted a school record in the 800 meters (1:58.07), 600 meters (1:23.52) and 1,000 meters (2:33.45), while Brian Holdmeyer has school records in the mile (2:23.88) and 5,000 meters (15:02.30). Dahmar Smiles owns the school record in the 60-meter hurdles (8.16), while Jack Hostettler has the school record in the 3,000 meters (8:48.10). On the women's side, newcomer Kalie Kirk has school records in the 60-meter dash (7.97) and 60-meter hurdles (8.82). Sara Fraley set the school record in the 600 meters (1:36.96), while Maddie O'Quinn is the owner of the 600-yard school record (1:28.91). The women's 4x400-meter relay squad of O'Quinn, Caitlin McCarthy, Jenna Romano and Fraley ran a school-record time of 3:59.64. The 4x800-meter squad of O'Quinn, McCarthy, Romano and Fraley also set a school record with a time of 9:17.47.

Head Coach Jon Bell: Bell is in his third season as head cross country/track and field coach. He has coached the Bills to numerous "firsts" during his tenure. During the 2008-09 indoor track and field campaign, the Billikens had their first individual conference champion as Brittney Cloudy won the triple jump in the A-10 indoor meet, also qualifying her for the USA Junior meet. During the outdoor campaign, Dahmar Smiles qualified for the USA Junior Championships in the 110-meter and 400-meter hurdles. Including Brian Holdmeyer's (10,000 meters) appearance in 2008, Bell has coached three athletes who have advanced to the USA Junior Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

A-10 Rookie of the Week: Freshman Kalie Kirk was named A-10 Rookie of the Week for the period ending Jan. 10. At the Missouri Invitational, Kirk won the 60-meter hurdles with a school-record time of 8.87. She also ran on the Billikens' 4x400-meter relay team that finished third at the Missouri Invitational with a time of 4:06.86.

In the A-10: Several Billikens have posted marks that rank among the top 10 in the Atlantic 10 Conference so far this season. For the women, Brittney Cloudy has the top triple-jump mark (39-7.75), while Kalie Kirk is tied for fifth in the 55-meter hurdles (8.25). Sara Fraley is sixth in the 1,000 meters with a time of 2:59.66, while Hilary Orf has the seventh-best 5,000-meter time of 18:08.24 and the 10th-best mile time of 5:07.45. Maddie O'Quinn is 10th in the 800 meters (2:18.12) and Cloudy is 10th in the long jump (17-8.25). SLU's 4x800-meter relay team of O'Quinn, Caitlin McCarthy, Jenna Romano and Fraley is second in the A-10 with a time of 9:17.47. On the men's side, Brian Holdmeyer has the fifth-best 3,000-meter time of 8:51.71. Dahmar Smiles (7.64) and Mike Collins (7.90) are fifth and ninth, respectively, in the 55-meter hurdles. Smiles also appears on the league performance list at 10th in the 400 meters (50.32). David Whelan is eighth in the 55-meter dash (6.59). Justin Kwasa ranks third in the weight throw (58-4.75) and ninth in the shot put (43-4.5).

Quotable: "These two meets this weekend are great preparation for the A-10 Championships," SLU head coach Jon Bell said. "At Nebraska, we will run against several nationally prominent programs. Competition is at a premium there, and we have many of our athletes competing in their best events. I expect several school records and personal bests to be achieved. Those going to Illinois Wesleyan will have a chance to compete to earn a roster spot for the A-10 Championships. IWU has a great facility, and that meet will feature some competitive programs from the region."