However things turn out at this weekend's MVC Outdoor Track and Field Championship in Terre Haute, Ind., Saluki throwing star Jared Kern already has etched his name onto a future Saluki Hall of Fame plaque.
The Chicago native flattened former shot put star Josh Freeman's 2015 record of 66 feet, 1.5 inches by 9 inches at the University of Louisville's Billy Hayes Invitational last weekend. He heaved the iron ball 66 feet, 10.5 inches.
Volunteer grad assistant coach Freeman has worked with Kern all year for that goal. Now Kern not only has the best shot throw in the MVC going into this weekend's festivities, but his throw is the third best nationally.
Freshman Shaniece O'Neil of Florrisant, Mo., set a personal record for the second meet in a row as she propelled the hammer 192 feet, 4 inches. That was good for third place in the Hayes meet and is listed as the third best throw in the MVC.
Alexis Roberson was close behind her teammate with a toss of 186 feet, 10 inches, which was good enough for fifth place. Roberson also finished fourth in the Hayes discus at 150 feet, 8 inches.
On the men's side in the hammer, Nate Dyer had a career-best 196 feet, 9 inches. That lists as the second best throw in the event for the MVC.
SIU coach Kathleen Raske did not take a full squad to the Hayes meet, opting to rest some of the squad for the MVC's three-day affair. But she did bring her All-Star sprinters.
Bri'Anna Branch burned up the Indiana track in the 200 meters. She ran a blazing 23.98 seconds in that event, giving the SIU women's team two of the top three 200-meter times in the upcoming MVC.
Next up time wise is Tyanna Eason. She has run a tremendous 23.93. Also, Shafqua Malony is not far behind those two at 24.37 seconds. That Hayes-generated time was her season best.
So it is of no surprise that the Dawgs 4x100 meter relay team beat Big Ten Indiana and everybody else last weekend. The team's 45.32-second time in that event is tops in the league this spring.
You can catch all of the action in the MVC meet starting this coming Friday and running through Sunday.
