BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The HCU Huskies traveled to Birmingham, Alabama to compete at the Birmingham Crossplex in the Southland Conference Championships.

In the field events, Balvin Israel was first to score points for the men in the long jump with a seventh-place finish and a mark of 7.15m/23-5.5, matching his PR. Freshman Julius Malone followed in the point-scoring, earning seventh overall in the men's high jump, clearing 2.00m/6-06.75 and also tying his PR.

Teammates Layloni Watson and Anouk Verdaasdonk both scored points for the women in the long jump, finishing seventh and eighth overall at marks of 5.59m/18-4.25 and 5.57m/18-3.25.

On the track, the duo of Ashton Munoz-Nieves and SJ Marais both qualified for the finals in the men's 60m hurdles. Munoz-Nieves qualified with an 8.08, and Marais ran 8.09 to qualify for the finals on day two of the meet. Shortly after running his qualifying time, Marais also ran a new school record in the 60m dash with a 6.88, a new PR.

To close out day one, the men's distance medley relay team of Wallenius, Mourtada, Tshimanga, and Aureau claimed the first podium finish for the Huskies with first place and a new school record at a time of 9:54.65.

Day two of the Conference Championships will resume on Thursday, Feb. 26 at 9:40 AM and will be streamed live on ESPN+.