TROY, Ala. – Having to compete under rainy conditions, the University of South Alabama track and field team took nine top-three spots Saturday at the Coach O Invitational at the Jesse H. Colley Track and Soccer Complex hosted by Troy University. The Jags also posted three school records at the Trojan meet.

“As the meet progressed, the weather became a hindrance, but the athletes still gave a great effort today,” USA head track and field coach Paul Brueske said. “We’re looking forward to the conference meet in two weeks in Texas.”

Leading the women and posting the only Jaguar victory of the day, sophomore Tori Lawson (Ocala, Fla.) won the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 11:29.90. The win also marked the first time Lawson has competed in the event during her collegiate career. The Vanguard High School alum also topped the USA all-time records list in the event, crossing the line over 30 seconds before the second-place finisher.

“We’re really excited about her performance,” Brueske said. “She’s never run this event before and no one was near her. She completely blew the competition away and we know she can run even faster.”

Also claiming a school record, sophomore Latifah Johnson (Pensacola, Fla.) grabbed second place in the hammer throw with a personal-best toss of 56.23m/184-5.75.

Sophomore Lindsay Schwartz (Watertown, Wis.) chipped in with a second-place finish in the high jump (1.63m/5-4.0) and a third-place finish in the 400-meter hurdles (1:06.00), while freshman Noelle Jones (Pensacola, Fla.) placed third in the javelin with a 38.02m/124-8.75 throw.

Sophomore Joey Torres (Navarre, Fla.) led the men with a second-place finish in the hammer throw with a personal-best mark of 58.99m/193-6.25, beating out teammate and fellow sophomore Stephen Nobles’ (Fairhope, Ala.) personal-best mark of 57.00m/187-0 for third. Both throws broke the school record set by Nobles four weeks ago at USA’s tri-meet.

Junior Javin Dodd (Fayetteville, N.C.) earned second in the long jump with a leap of 7.23m/23-8.5, while freshman Scott Lasiter (Indianapolis, Ind.) crossed the finish line second in the 1,500 meters with a time of 4:01.30.

The Jags will return to competition in two weeks when they head to Denton, Texas for the Sun Belt Conference Outdoor Championships.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com.  Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

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