Seavula crosses personal milestone

On Saturday, April 15, the Southwestern Spartans traveled to the 2017 Darrel Gourley Open, hosted by William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri.

The Spartans had their best performance of the season so far, finishing competition with 18 personal-best performances. Only 17 athletes were competing. Nearly every athlete achieved a new personal best, with some competitors reaching new marks in multiple events. Running, jumping, or throwing the best in their athletic careers.

Among those attaining personal bests was Fijian native and 2016 Olympic competitor, Sisilia Seavula. Seavula managed to run the 100 meter dash in under 12 seconds (11.98), for the first time in her career.

“ A feat that a small percentage of females have accomplished,” Southwestern coach Jordan Strofaci said. “It has been her goal for a very long time.”

Another personal best came from high jumper Ronald Henderson. Henderson leaped into first place at the competition, executing a jump of 6 feet and 10 inches, ever closer to his goal of seven feet.

“Ronald’s goal has always been seven feet, and it seems as though he is getting closer and closer to attaining that,” Strofaci said. Ronald also finished seventh place in the long jump with a mark of 6.30 meters (20 feet 8 inches). Other top finishers who scored points at the competition for the Spartans includes freshman hurdler Tony Klocke. Klocke reached personal best marks in both the 110 and 400 meter hurdles, finishing second in the 110 meter hurdles with a time of 15.17 and finishing ninth in the 400 meter hurdles with a time of 59.75 seconds.

The men’s 4x100 and 4x800 meter relays also placed well. The 4x100 meter relay team consisting of Jeremy Newton, Dylan Lucas, Malik McClellon, and Andrew Conover finished seventh place with a personal best time of 44.62 seconds.

The 4x800 meter relay team of Jalen Two Leggins, Gabe Esser, Richard Wilkins, and Kevin Dietrich finished second place with a personal best time of 8:32.

For team scores, the men finished 11th of 17 teams.