SIUE Trio Honored with OVC Track and Field Awards

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. - A trio of SIUE track and field student-athletes were honored as Ohio Valley Conference Athletes of the Week after the outdoor opener at the Ole Miss Invitational.

William Lindsey (Lansing), La'Derrick Ward (Cahokia), and Jatavia Wright (Miami, Fla.) were all recognized for their record-breaking performances over the weekend.

Lindsey was named OVC Male Track Athlete of the Week after breaking the SIUE record in the 400 hurdles with a third-place time of 51.48 seconds. The junior also ran the opening leg of the 4x100 relay that set a school record (40.70) and placed second in the 110 hurdles (14.20). His times in the two hurdles events top the OVC Bests List.

Ward received the honor of OVC Male Field Athlete of the Week by setting a school record in the long jump in his first taste of outdoor collegiate competition. The freshman jumped 23 feet, 9 inches, placing second of 33 competitors and ranks second in the OVC.

Wright had two strong performances in her outdoor debut to be named OVC Female Track Athlete of the Week. The freshman placed fourth in the 100 hurdles in 14.16, which set a new SIUE record and qualified her for the USA Junior Outdoor Track & Field Championships. She also placed 35th out of 69 runners in the 200-meter dash in 25.77.

The awards are the first for the SIUE track and field team during the outdoor season.

The Cougars return to the track Saturday at the Joey Haines Invitational in Cape Girardeau, Mo.