AUSTIN, Texas - The 4x400 m relay team set a new school record on Saturday as the Southeastern Louisiana University track and field team capped an impressive showing at the 82nd Annual Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays in record breaking fashion on the final day of one of the largest and most prestigious meets of the year.
"We finished strong," head coach Sean Brady said. "It was a long and challenging week, but our kids responded the way we needed them to. We had some injury issues that we'll need to address in the coming weeks, but anytime you can advance a relay team to the finals and stick around late on the final day of the Texas Relays, you've had a good meet. It was good for our kids to get out there and beat some SEC and Big 12 schools in front of 20,000 people. They represented our school well this week."
After advancing to the finals of the Texas Relays for the first time in school history, the men's 4x400 m relay team posted the best mark in school history on Saturday. Senior George Cunningham, juniorAdlus Wiltz and sophomores Shannon Grover and Jerel Butlercombined to post a third-place time of 3:09.78.
The time bettered the school record of 3:09.83, set by the same quartet of runners in 2008, by 0.05 seconds. Additionally, the team finished 0.22 seconds ahead of the NCAA regional qualifying standard, earning a berth to the Mideast Regionals.
The four Lion runners became the latest regional additions for Southeastern this week. Junior thrower Adonson Shallow improved on his regional marks in the hammer and discus, while Wiltz posted a 400 m hurdle time of 52.04, nearly half a second ahead of the regional qualifying time.
Meanwhile, junior Cory Roberts may have turned in the most impressive performance of the meet, climibing 11 places on the second day of the decathlon to finish third with a school record total of 7,364 points, and surpass the national provisional qulaifying mark of 6,900.
Unfortunately, for Southeastern, the Lions will also leave the Texas Relays with injury issues to face. Sophomore jumper Michael Rheams will rest up an injured left ankle and senior jumper Corey Billizone will deal with a sore heel after battling through injury to compete in the high jump.
The Lions will return to action when they head to Beaumont, Texas for the Ty Tyrell Relays hosted by Lamar on April 11.