HUMBLE, Texas – The University of the Incarnate Word men's outdoor track and field team won the Southland Conference Championship on Sunday for the first time in program history, scoring 157 total points (24 points above the second-place team). This is the second SLC title the men's track and field team has won this year after being crowned the Indoor SLC champions on Feb. 28. 

The women's outdoor track and field team placed second overall at the SLC Championship. 

The men led the scoreboard through all three days of competition. They entered the final day with a score of 76, 29 points ahead of second place. With a comfortable lead, the men continued to show their versatility, placing top-three finishes in multiple events. 

"What a team effort!" said head coach Dr. Derek Riedel. "The men battled as hard as they could for not just three days but all year. This weekend was a culmination of the men believing they could do it again and prove how good of a team they really are. I'm so proud and thankful of the efforts these men put forth. They are so much fun to coach because they are such hard workers and great people."

Over the three-day event, the men had 10 podium finishes, including one first-place finish from Parker Barrett in the javelin throw. Isaiah Hudgens led the way with three podium appearances; he placed second in the men's decathlon, breaking the UIW record and landing 27th in the NCAA. He also broke the UIW record in the 400-meter hurdles in the prelim round to qualify for the finals. His third podium appearance came after securing second place in the men's pole vault with a final mark of 5.00 meters. 

"My hat goes off to the multi's group for setting the tone and leading with authority," said Riedel. "The rest of the team followed their lead and took it from there."

The women's track and field team battled throughout the three-day competition to secure second place. This is the second runner-up finish for the women this season, following suit after the Indoor SLC Championship on Feb. 28. 

The women had 13 podium finishes and were led by Abby Gray's three victories where she broke two different SLC records. She secured first place in the steeple chase on day two with the second all-time fastest mark in SLC history. On the final day, she broke the SLC record in the 1500-meter race, winning with a final time of 4:23.96. She also won the women's 5,000-meter race. Gabrielle Thomas found her way to the top of the podium after jumping a final mark of 12.61 in the women's high jump. Kaycee Brown and Madison Algeria recorded two podium appearances for the Cardinals. 

"I'm so proud of the women's team!" said Riedel. "They had a fantastic meet. We knew it would be a really tough job going after McNeese because they are such a strong team. We fell a little short but the ladies fought valiantly. What a great effort from a great group of women!"

Final Results Link

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