The LeMoyne-Owen men's and women's track and field teams continued to build momentum in their outdoor season this past weekend as they competed in the Joey Haines Invitational in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Competing in rainy and gloomy conditions that tested both focus and toughness, the Magicians refused to let the weather dictate their performance. Instead, they delivered a meet filled with personal bests and season defining marks, signaling that the team is trending in the right direction at a critical point in the season.
Despite the damp track and challenging conditions, senior Jada Joshua turned in one of the most impressive performances of the meet. She placed fifth in the women's shot put with a throw of 11.67 meters, a lifetime personal best that continues her steady rise within the conference. That mark now ranks her fourth overall in the SIAC and 34th in the HBCU national rankings, placing her firmly among the top competitors in her event. Joshua also competed in the women's discus, recording a throw of 36.14 meters, which stands as a season best and ranks her 46th in the HBCU rankings. Her ability to perform at a high level in less than ideal weather reflects both her preparation and competitive mindset.
Junior Tajana Sims also delivered a strong performance, recording a season best mark of 5.22 meters in the women's long jump. Battling through the wet runway conditions, Sims showed control and consistency, earning a mark that now places her 14th in the SIAC rankings. Her performance highlighted her ability to adjust and compete regardless of the environment.
On the men's side, sophomore Jacob Coleman continued to show growth in the sprint events. He clocked a personal best time of 22.98 seconds in the 200 meter dash, a result that reflects his continued development and commitment to improving each week. Senior Prince Nde added to the list of standout performances with a lifetime best throw of 32.56 meters in the men's javelin. His mark now ranks him 61st in the HBCU standings and thirteenth in the SIAC, demonstrating his steady progress this season.
The relay teams also found success despite the unfavorable conditions. The men's 4x100 meter relay team, consisting of Coleman, Josiah Mounger, Michael Robinson Jr., and Andre Phillips, finished eighth with a time of 45.51 seconds. The performance stands as their second fastest time of the season and showed strong execution even on a wet track. In the 4x400 meter relay, the A team delivered a season best performance, finishing fourth with a time of 3:36.49 behind the efforts of Coleman, Phillips, Kelvin Rozier, and Robinson. The B team followed with a fifth place finish in 3:55.64, as Charles Smith, Terrence Stephenson Jr., Julian Tallant, and Mounger combined for a competitive effort that added depth to the Magicians' showing.
Overall, the Joey Haines Invitational was a test of both physical ability and mental toughness. The rainy and gloomy weather created obstacles, but the Magicians embraced the challenge and continued to compete with energy and determination. The number of personal bests and season best performances is a clear indication that the team is beginning to peak at the right time.
LeMoyne-Owen will now shift its focus to the Pelican Relays in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on April 10 and 11, which will serve as the final regular season meet before the SIAC Outdoor Championships. With confidence building and momentum on their side, the Magicians are proving that no conditions are too tough to overcome as they prepare for their most important stretch of the season.
