XULA opens season with 4 NAIA qualifying marks

HAMMOND, Louisiana — Xavier University of Louisiana opened its 2019 outdoor track and field season Saturday with four NAIA national qualifying marks five victories and a school record in the Southeastern Strawberry Relays.
     
Qualifying for the NAIA National Championships May 23-25 at Gulf Shores, Ala., were:
     •  The women's 400 relay team of Alexis Milton, Justyce Riggs, Raven Davis and Shalysa Wray with an NAIA A-mark and XULA record of 46.23 seconds. The previous school record was 46.45 at the 2018 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Championships. Milton and Riggs were part of that relay team.
     •  The women's 1,600 relay team of Wray, Alexis Williams, Ariel Ford and Raven Riley with an A-mark of 3:53.20.
     •  Ford with a B-mark of 56.96 in the women's 400.
     •  Brandon Matthews with a B-mark of 14.40 meters (47 feet, 3 inches) in the men's triple jump.
     
Ford, Matthews and the women's 1,600 relay team won their events. Also victorious were Ireyon Keith in the women's long jump (4.97 meters/16-3 3/4) and Edward Angel in the men's high jump (1.98 meters/6-6).
     
The Gold Nuggets and Gold Rush combined for 12 top-3 finishes, including the women's 400 relay, Kadeem Burton in the men's 800 (1:56.46) and Shane Buchanan in the men 's 1,500 (4:10.18).
     
There was no team scoring. It was the first XULA track meet for Yhann Plummer, who was hired last August as head coach of men's and women's track and field and cross country.
     
XULA's next meet will be the Louisiana Classics March 16 at Lafayette, La.
     
Southeastern Louisiana, Southern, Troy, Tulane, South Alabama, Dillard and Louisiana College also competed.
     
Here are all XULA results from the Southeastern Strawberry Relays:

Women
     200:  Asja Thompson, 7th in 26.75
     400:  Ariel Ford, 1st in 56.96; Alexis Williams, 2nd in 58.72; Raven Riley, 4th in 1:00.28
     400 Relay:  Alexis Milton, Justyce Riggs, Raven Davis, Shalysa Wray, 2nd in 46.23
     1,600 Relay:  Shalysa Wray, Alexis Williams, Ariel Ford, Raven Riley, 1st in 3:53.20
     Discus:  Calah Williams, 5th in 30.91 meters (101 feet, 5 inches)
     High Jump:  Mariah Cox, 5th in 1.42 meters (4 feet, 7 3/4 inches)
     Javelin:  Tamia Scott, 6th in 30.86 meters (101 feet, 3 inches)
     Long Jump:  Ireyon Keith, 1st in 4.97 meters (16 feet, 3 3/4 inches); Hillary Smith, 3rd in 4.60 meters (15 feet, 1 1/4 inches)
     Shot Put:  Jayla Moore, 5th in 10.72 meters (35 feet, 2 inches)
     Triple Jump:  Bria Ward, 3rd in 10.57 meters (34 feet, 8 1/4 inches); Hannah Young, 5th in 10.41 meters (34 feet, 2 inches); Alysia Terry, 6th in 9.89 meters (32 feet, 5 1/2 inches);Hillary Smith, 7th in 9.82 meters (32 feet, 2 3/4 inches)

Men
     200:  Jordan Ashmore, 16th in 22.97
     400:  Jordan Ashmore, 8th in 51.45; Tyler Lewis, 10th in 53.25; Khalil Gallien, 12th in 54.83
     800:  Kadeem Burton, 2nd in 1:56.46
     1,500:  Shane Buchanan, 2nd in 4:10.18; Darrick Williams, 10th in 4:58.32
     Discus:  Evan Simmons, 10th in 37.81 meters (124 feet, 0 inches)
     High Jump:  Edward Angel, 1st in 1.98 meters (6 feet, 6 inches)
     Long Jump:  Brandon Matthews, 2nd in 6.54 meters (21 feet, 5 1/2 inches); Gustavo Carranza, 5th in 6.31 meters (20 feet, 8 1/2 inches); David Katembo, no mark
     Triple Jump:  Brandon Matthews, 1st in 14.40 meters (47 feet, 3 inches) 

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletics Director for Communications
Department of Athletics & Recreation
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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