BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The 2022 Southland Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships wrapped Monday afternoon at the CrossPlex in Birmingham, Ala. McNeese women and UIW men each captured its first team title in program history.
The Cowgirls completed the meet with 156 points to lead the women’s standings, followed by runner-up UIW with 134 points. The Cardinals’ 131.5 points topped the men’s standings, just ahead of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi’s 109.5 points.
Islanders’ Trpimir Siroki was named the men’s Most Valuable Performer (MVP) after registering 38 points for A&M-Corpus Christi, just a half point shy of tying the Southland record. Siroki claimed gold in the heptathlon with 5604 points overall. HBU’s Kaitlin Smith and McNeese’s Dreunna Washington were awarded the women’s MVP honors after recording 26.5 points for their respective teams.
Smith added another medal to her trophy case after she found gold in the women’s 60m hurdlers. Washington helped lead her team to a victory in the women’s 4x400m relay.
The Cowgirls earned four individual conference championships to top all the women’s competitors. After Washington’s long jump victory on day one, McNeese garnered three more wins on day two by Sakari Famous in the high jump, Malaiya Jedkins in the triple jump and a team victory in the 4x400m.
A&M-Corpus Christi and New Orleans men each garnered four individual champions to top the men’s competition. Siroki led the way for the Islanders, recording two wins on day one, before taking home the gold in the men’s heptathlon on day two. Teammate Preston Whaley recorded a first-place finish in the men’s triple jump. The Privateers found gold three times on day two, thanks to Julian Forde in the 60m dash, Jaden Forster in the men’s mile and Parker McBride in the 800m run.
The top three finishers in each event final are recognized as First, Second and Third Team All-Conference, respectively. Individual men’s and women’s awards for Coach of the Year, Outstanding Running Events Performer, Outstanding Field Events Performer, Freshman of the Year, Newcomer of the Year and Athlete of the Year will be nominated and voted upon by head coaches in the coming week.
For athletes that achieved
qualifying marks this season, the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships will be hosted at the Birmingham CrossPlex in Birmingham, Ala., March 11-12.
The 2022 Southland Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships are set for May 6-8 at Turner Stadium in Humble, Texas.