VERMILLION, S.D. – The Southwest Minnesota State University women's and men's track & field teams opened the outdoor season on Saturday competing at the University of South Dakota Early Bird held at the Lillibridge Track Complex.
 
For the SMSU men's team, Renald Pierre qualified for the finals of the 110 meter hurdles and placed sixth overall crossing the line at 14.58, tying a personal best.
 
Isaiah Nelson finished at 6.65m in the long jump to finish in a tie for 12^th and was also 16^th in the javelin at 41.47.
 
In the shot put, Brendon Rasmussen finished 18^th at 13.82, while teammate Tyler Nebelung was 19^th at 13.66m.
 
Sierra Clifford earned a top 10 finish in the 400 meters placing 10^th with a time of 59.42 lead the way for the SMSU women's team.
 
Shealyn Tom placed 17^th setting a new school mark in the pole vault at 3.31m.
 
Kate Battaforyen picked up a 17^th place finish in the shot put with a mark of 12.50m.
 
SMSU returns to competition on April 8-9 at the Minnesota State Open and Multi.