Day 1 Results | Championship Central

NEW YORK (SMU) -- The SMU women's track and field team sits in second place after day one of the American Athletic Conference Indoor Championship on Friday at the New Balance Track & Field Center.

"We have a good meet going with a lot of excellent performances today," said head coach Dave Wollman. "It is too early to talk about team chances as tomorrow are most of the finals. However, like all competitions, we have to keep fighting as a team all the way to the final race."

Rayann Chin, who was named The American's Most Outstanding Field Performer last year, won the weight throw with a mark of 19.87m.

"I am so proud of Rayann Chin," said Wollman. "She stepped it up and dominated. That's what we do as Mustang throwers and we will go after the shot tomorrow with equal effort."

Four Mustangs finished in the top seven of the 5,000-meter run, with Melanie Stemper leading the way with a fourth-place finish (16:43.00). Shanoah Souza placed fifth (16:50.34), Agnes Sjöström followed in sixth (16:56.85) and Caitlin Keen rounded out the top seven (16:56.88). Claire Trotter also competed, placing 22nd (18:54.86).

In the distance medley relay, the Mustangs' team of Sjöström, Shahira Ehiemua, Holly Archer and Karoline Skatteboe won the silver medal (11:43.42).

"The entire distance crew had an excellent day and this is important for us always as they are the core of our points," said Wollman. "They competed hard, with heart and for their teammates. This is what makes a championship team."

Lucija Cvitanovic finished seventh in the pentathlon with 3,528 points, headlined by a second-place finish in the 800-meter.

A pair of Mustangs, Archer and Skatteboe, both advanced to the mile final. Archer qualified seventh (5:04.46), with Skatteboe following in eighth (5:04.89).

Reigning 60-meter champion Stephanie Kalu clocked the top preliminary in that event (7.40), while Rachel Scruggs advanced to the 400-meter final with the sixth-fastest preliminary time (56.10).

Action begins tomorrow at 9:45 a.m. ET/8:45 a.m. CT with the high jump. Watch live on the American Digital Network.

Team Scores
1. Connecticut 40
2. SMU 34
3. Memphis 30.5
4. Tulane 24.5
5. UCF 23
6. USF 22
7. Cincinnati 19
8. Tulsa 17
9. East Carolina 12
10. Houston 7
11. Temple 5