CINCINNATI (SMU) – SMU's dominant sprints duo of Chelsea Francis and Latessa Johnson led the way for the Mustangs by winning their 100-meter dash heats on day two of the American Athletic Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Cincinnati.

The pair will now race in both the 100-meter and 200-meter event finals on Sunday.

Johnson won heat two of the 100-meter in 11.37, beating an 8-year-old record at Cincinnati's Gettler Stadium. Her time puts her in second going into finals. Francis, The American's 100-meter defending champion, won the first heat in 11.45 to place third in the preliminary round.

Saturday's competition also saw two Mustangs take on the 3,000-meter steeplechase, where Alison Esparza pushed ahead in the final lap to take ninth in 10:59.24 and Anneke Grogan placed 11^th in 11:08.88. Both runners are slated for the 5,000-meter race on the final day of the championships.

SMU also competed in two field events on day two of competition. Freshman Atipa Mabonga recorded a 5.49m (18-0.25) mark in the long jump to finish in 16^th. In the discus, Tochi Nlemchi recorded a 42.31m (138-9) mark while Daniella Murchison followed with a mark of 39.73m (130-4).

After competing in five final events, the Mustangs sit tied for ninth place with 14 points. Sunday's competition includes seven final events, including Johnson and Francis' 100-meter and 200-meter finals. Nlemchi will also throw for her second-career outdoor conference shot put title at 5 p.m. ET/4 p.m. CT.

Live scoring can be found here, and video stream via the American Digital Network can be found here.
 
SMU Results – American Athletic Conference Outdoor T&F Championships Day Two
Discus Throw
15 Tochi Nlemchi                             42.31m (138-9)
18 Daniella Murchison                     39.73m (130-4)
 
Long Jump
16 Atipa Mabonga                           5.49m (18-0.25)
 
100m Dash Trials
2 Latessa Johnson                          11.37 – Heat Winner, Beats Stadium Record
3 Chelsea Francis                           11.45 – Heat Winner
 
3,000-meter Steeplechase
9 Alison Esparza                             10:59.24
11 Anneke Grogan                          11:08.88
 
Women's Team Rankings – Day Two (Seven Events Scored)
1. East Carolina – 45
2. Connecticut – 34
3. Cincinnati – 32.5
4. Houston – 30
5. Tulane – 26.5
6. Memphis – 26
7. Wichita State – 20
8. South Florida – 15
9. Tulsa – 14
9. SMU – 14
11. UCF – 11
12. Temple - 5