Kolyn Saltzman wins Gold, Triple Jump records fall often in Day Two of Southland Outdoor Championships 

DAY TWO RESULTS | PHOTOS (SLC) | DAY ONE RECAP 

NEW ORLEANS – For the second straight evening a Privateer was crowned Southland Champion. Kolyn Saltzman emulated Rebecca DeKay’s success from last night on his way to the men’s steeplechase crown in Commerce, Texas. The Privateer jumps squad also had an outstanding day with Alimot Alowonle, Christopher Murphy and Nicholaus Smith all breaking the University’s long jump records on Friday afternoon.

Saltzman finished his race in 9:06.53 to become the second Privateer Southland Champion in as many nights winning by eight seconds over Christopher Daniels of UIW. After running step-for-step with eventual winner Jasmin Austridge of Lamar, Ariana Jimenez placed second with a time of 10:47.89 in the women’s steeple. Continuing New Orleans’ recent success in the steeple, Oxana Bonjorn-Giros finished third with a time of 11:07.38.

Murphy’s bronze medal winning jump of 7.69m broke a school record he set in his previous jump (7.68m). About a half hour beforehand Nicholaus Smith had also broken the Privateer men’s long jump record with his first jump of the day going 7.56m. The previous record was 7.46m set by Michael Strong in 2019. Murphy also tacked on a personal best in the 100 with a time of 10.494.

At the end of Friday night, Murphy’s mark ranks 16^th in the NCAA’s East Region and tied for ninth in the South Central Region with fellow Southland student-athlete Tate Kenson out of Lamar.

Eleven more Privateers qualified for event finals. In the men’s 100 meter prelims Elliott Cummings set a new personal best with a time of 10.17 – the second best time among the field. Ellis Cummings also set a personal best with a 10.76. Both Aisha Johnson and Vivette Green qualified in the women’s 100 after times of 11.90 (personal best) and 11.84 respectively.

Helen Baumgarten and Sarinity Bracey both qualified for the women’s 100 meter hurdles finals tomorrow. Bracey set a new personal best with a time of 14.10.

Jorim Bangue qualified for his 110 meter final tomorrow with a personal best of 13.87 – a time that matches Garrett Gibson of HCU for the second best time in the Southland this season.

At the 800 meter distance Kelvin Chiku, Alexandra Weir and Anna Marin all qualified. Chiku finished third overall in the prelims with a time of 1:52.67, while Weir and Marin finished fourth and eighth with times of 2:13.80 and 2:16.45.

Heading into the final day the UNO men sit fifth with 24.5 points, while the women sit sixth with 31 points. Fans can watch the final day on ESPN+ with Karena Grigenas set to get the Privateer action underway with the women’s discus throw at noon.

PRIVATEER RESULTS
Men’s Shot Put
11 Matthew Christy 14.62m

Women’s Long Jump
9 Alimot Alowonle 6.10m pb SCHOOL RECORD 

Men’s Long Jump
T3 Christopher Murphy 7.69m pb SCHOOL RECORD (5pts)
6 Nicholaus Smith 7.56m pb* (3pts)
* school record until broken 30 minutes later by Murphy 

Men’s 100 Prelims
2 Elliott Cummings 10.17 Q pb
11 Christopher Murphy 10.50* pb
12 Mason Melancon 10.51
21 Ellis Cummings 10.76 pb
*10.494

Women’s 100 Prelims
4 Aisha Johnson 11.90* Q pb (was 12.04)
7 Vivette Green 11.84 q
*11.899

Women’s 100 Hurdles Prelims
4 Helen Baumgarten 14.58 Q
5 Sarinity Bracey 14.10 q pb (was 14.17) 

Men’s 110 Hurdles Prelims
1 Jorim Bange 13.87 Q pb (was 14.36) 

Women’s 400 Prelims
17 Trinity Bracey 57.90

Women’s 800 Prelims
4 Alexandra Weir 2:13.80 q
8 Anna Martin 2:16.45 q

Men’s 800 Prelims
3 Kelvin Chiku 1:52.67 Q

Women’s 3000 Steeplechase
2 Ariana Jimenez 10:47.89 (8pts)
3 Oxana Bonjorn-Giros 11:07.38 (6pts) 

Men’s 3000 Steeplechase
1 Kolyn Saltzman 9:06.53 (10pt)
9 Antonio Delgado 10:59.86

JUMPS/SPRINTS COACH BEN HIBBERT
“What an awesome day for the jumps crew. Big PB’s for all three with each one breaking the school at one point. Ali got us started with a great series and a big jump in an absolutely loaded field! Nick came out hot breaking the school record and setting a PB on his first attempt. He really put the pieces together when it mattered. Chris unseated Nick as the school record holder 30 minutes later and did a fantastic job of competing today. I’m proud of him for being a competitor today.”

HEAD COACH BROCK MOREAUX
“I don’t think we could have executed much better today. Everyone went above and beyond for the team and the energy was really exciting. I am so proud of this group on their accomplishments today, and now we can reap the benefits in the finals tomorrow.” 

(on his Steeplechase group)

“Ariana and Ox ran really smart races. There were a lot of factors and tactics we talked around, and they put the plan into action to finish second and third overall. I am proud of their hard work and faith in the process.” 

“I was stoked to see Kolyn finally get his win. He has worked so hard for 4 years now and has always fell just a little short of the top of the podium. This one was a long time coming and it was an honor to be a part of it.”