BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The University of West Alabama Track and Field program concluded the Samford Bulldog Invitational on Saturday afternoon.

The Tigers competed well in a field that was filled with Division I competition. Yakubu Balikis, Jentzen Moore, and Jayson Lynch all set new PRs to lead UWA in their Season Opener.

WOMEN'S TRACK & FIELD
Balikis set a new personal record in the 60M race, crossing the finish line in 7.63 seconds for a fifth place finish. Alongside her in the event was Mikia Hutchings who finished 11th with a 7.85 time. Balikis also turned heads in the 200m, crossing the finish line in 25.03 seconds which was good enough for an eighth place finish. Hayley Cook-Graham competed alongside Balikis, picking up a 28th place finish with a time of 27.45.

While Balikis shined in the Sprint events, Augusta Arnold recorded a podium finish in the 800m. Arnold registered a time of 2:19.21, placing third while Jordan Conner placed eighth with a 2:27.81 time. Mercy Lomuria rounded out West Alabama's effort with a first place finish in the 3000m event, closing with a time of 10:13.76.

MEN'S TRACK & FIELD
Moore and Lynch both recorded Personal Bests in the One Mile race with Moore finishing in 4:32.75 and Lynch crossing the line in 4:41.31. 

In the 3000m, Gary Mata picked up a top-10 finish as he recorded a time of 8:42.97 which was good enough for the sixth spot. Moments later, Shakenye Darden and Dave Hubert placed top-15 in the 800m as Darden closed with a time of 1:59.62, finishing in eighth, while Hubert crossed the line in 2:03.78 which put him 15th.

Jamarion Walker was the final Tiger to place in the top-15 as he finished 15th in the 400m race with a time of 51.98.

West Alabama will be back in action on Saturday, March 1 for the Mississippi College open in Clinton, Mississippi.