PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - The Salisbury University men's and women's track and field teams started the new year with a great showing in the Widener Winter Evening Invitational. The two-day event was highlighted on day one with Kai Smith setting the school record in the 200-meter dash with a time of 21.73 seconds which ranks 7^th nationally.

"We had a very good opening meet coming back from winter break," head coach Jim Jones said. "Proud of how our team competed at one of the best facilities in the nation!"

Women Meet Notes

• In the 60-meter hurdles, Brooke Hamer placed top-10 with a time of 9.67 seconds.
• Madi Sisson also earned a top-10 finish in the 3000-meter run with a 10:59.40 finish.
• The Sea Gulls earned two top-five finishers in the long jump. Marlyse Haack placed 4^th while Mia Hill grabbed 5^th with both jumps ranking top 30 nationally.
• Haack also finished 10^th in the triple jump while Emma Christman placed 9^th with a jump just over 35 feet which ranked 42^nd nationally.

Men Meet Notes

• Landon Lewicki started the meet off strong for the Sea Gull men with a 5^th place finish in the 5000-meter run. His time of 15:49.53 was a personal record.
• Smith, who placed second in the 200-meter breaking the school record, also placed 3^rd in the 60-meter dash with a time of 6.91 seconds.
• Gavin Shaffer earned a 2^nd place finish in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.28 seconds.
• Justin Freeman set a personal record in the 800-meter run with a time of 1:58.26 which was good enough for 8^th place and 85^th nationally.
• In the triple jump, Jon Alicea earned a personal record with a jump just over 45 feet. This also placed him 34^th nationally.
• In the weight throw, Jacob Reeves placed tied for third setting a personal record while Mason Breeze placed 7^th.

The Sea Gulls return to action on Feb. 1^st when they travel to Fairfax, Va. for the Patriot Games. Salisbury University is a proud member of NCAA Division III with primary membership in the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference, along with affiliate membership in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (football, men's & women's swimming) and the Coastal Lacrosse Conference (men's lacrosse). With over 500 student-athletes in 23 varsity sports, SU is recognized as one of the nation's most competitive intercollegiate athletics programs regardless of division, featuring dedicated coaches and staff that foster excellence on and off the field. The Sea Gulls have won a combined 23 team national championships, 24 individual national championships, and 201 conference championships, and have produced 50 Academic All-Americans.

To Make Tomorrow Yours at Salisbury University, and learn more about Sea Gull Athletics' tradition of excellence, visit www.SUSeaGulls.com or follow on social media @SUSeaGulls.