Track & Field: Louisiana Has Field Day At Samford Invitational

Matt Sullivan, Associate Director of Athletics Communications

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Kyle Baudoin and freshman Reagann Leleux each claimed individual titles in the men’s and women’s pole vault, respectively, while Frankie Griffin claimed the women’s high jump crown to lead the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns track and field team at the Samford Invitational on Saturday at the Birmingham Crossplex.
 
Louisiana added six second-place finishes in the non-scoring meet. Seven Louisiana freshmen posted top-6 finishes, highlighted by John Joseph earning a second-place performance in the men’s long jump (23-1 ¼) and fourth-place finish in the triple jump (46-6 ¾).

Baudoin claimed the men’s pole vault title for the Ragin’ Cajuns after the senior cleared 16-10 ¾. Leleux, who claimed her first individual title at the collegiate level, cleared 12-3 ½ as Louisiana placed three athletes in the top six with Kimmie Rushford finishing second (11-11 ¾) and Alexa Johnson sixth (10-11 ¾).
 
Griffin set a personal-best in the high jump for Louisiana, clearing 5-8 and breaking her previous mark (5-7) set last year at the Texas State Bobcat Invitational. Newcomer Shalei Matthews earned a second-place finish for Louisiana in the women’s triple jump (37-9 ¼).
 
On the men’s side, Louisiana posted nine top-6 finishes in field events paced by Baudoin’s effort in the pole vault. Dominique Williams and Graham Sokol helped Louisiana to a 2-3 finish in the weight throw with Williams recording a toss of 56-8 ¾ and Sokol 56-4. Shaquille Singuineau earned a third-place finish in the shot put (54-1) for the Ragin’ Cajuns while Damon Guidry finished fifth in the high jump (6-6 ¾).
 
Freshman Obdarius Ware finished in a second-place tie with Joseph in the long jump after posting a mark of 23-1 ¼. Another freshman, Rylan Theyard, turned in a sixth-place finish in the triple jump after clearing 46-6 ¾.
 
Hannes Burger fueled a strong performance in the mile run for Louisiana, crossing the finish line in 4:17.03 to finish second. Jonathan Kimutai and Stanley Limoh each followed Burger to the line with Kimutai (4:20.45) finishing third and Limoh (4:20.97) fourth.
 
In the men’s 800-meter run, freshman Key Alfred crossed the finish line in 1:56.73 to finish fourth overall with freshman Terrell Jolla placing sixth in the 60-meter dash (6.81).
 
Newcomer Kalei Matthews notched a pair of top-four finishes for the Ragin’ Cajuns, finishing second overall in the women’s 400-meters (57.63) and fourth in the 200-meters (25.09). Senior Hailey Hesterman finished fourth in the women’s mile run for Louisiana, posting a time of 5:18.69 with Teresa Bruning following in fifth (5;22.41).
 
Louisiana will return to action on Friday (Jan. 25) when it travels to Lake Charles to compete at the McNeese State Indoor.
 
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