VERMILLION, S.D. – The Southwest Minnesota State University track & field teams closed off a busy three days on Saturday with several top finishes, including one first-place time, while competing at the University of South Dakota Challenge at the Lillibridge Track Complex. The meet featured numerous Division I and several top Division II and NAIA programs.
 
In Saturday's action, Renald Pierre ran 14.62 in the prelims of the 110-meter hurdles to advance to the finals where he placed second at 14.18.
 
Isaiah Nelson recorded a mark of 14.41m in the triple jump to finish in second place.
 
Sierra Clifford had a big day running 59.37 to win the women's 400-meters.
 
Isatu Shirek advanced to the finals in the women's 100-meter hurdles after crossing the line with a time of 14.25 in the prelims and went even faster in the finals where she ran 14.20 to finish in third place.
 
Noah Eckelberg closed with a time of 15.78 in the wheelchair 100-meters.
 
Tyler Smith finished 11^th in the men's 400-meters with a time of 51.97.
 
On Friday, a pair of Mustangs set school records in the pole vault. Shealyn Tom set a women's team record with a mark of 3.42m to finish 10^th out of nearly 30 athletes.
 
In the men's pole vault, Hunter Smith placed tied for seventh, the highest among non-Division I athletes, with a school record mark of 4.47m.
 
Also on Friday, Nelson finished 12^th in the javelin with a throw of 41.97m, while teammate Nathan Learn was 14^th at 40.03m.
 
On Thursday night, Lear ran 58.33 in the 400-meter hurdles to finish 11^th.
 
SMSU will next compete on Thursday and Friday at the Simpson College Janvrin Invite in Indianola, Iowa, while Eckelberg will compete at the Drake Relays next week.