SMU started off their outdoor season at the TCU Invitational on March 19 with 14 athletes obtaining personal bests. Head Coach A'Havahla Haynes challenged the women to try to open the outdoor season with the same or better than the team finished indoor season and many personal bests were produced. 

"Almost all of them rose to the challenge, which has set us up for a really solid outdoor season," Haynes said. 

Funminiyi Olajide ran a personal best time of 12.25 in the 100 meter dash, and Olivia Dobson had a PR of 26.29 in the 200. Dobson also tied for third in the high jump with a jump of 1.66 meters. 

In the long jump, Raelyn Roberson posted a season's best distance with a 5.98 meter jump – good for sixth in the field. Freshman Maria Kavalierou accomplished two PRs in Saturday's meet in both the long jump and the triple jump with distances of 5.74 meters and 12.21 meters – placing third in triple jump and moving her up to the seventh best jump in SMU history. 

The 800 and the 1500 produced many PRs for the Mustangs with most of the field consisting of SMU athletes. Steffi Jones placed third in the 800 with a time of 2:14.01. She was followed by 11 SMU teammates in the race -- of which eight athletes ran their best time.  

One of those athletes was Bethan Burley who competed in a race for the first time this season. She began her 2022 season with a time of 2:20.63 -- leading the first heat of athletes. 

"Honestly, it's taken me four years of adversity to get to this point," Burley said. "I'm so excited to see where all this hard work will take me this season!" 

The 1500 brought seven more PRs for the Mustangs. Jones won the event with a time of 4:35.28 followed closely by Leoni Mierswa in second with 4:36.16. Kendall Saeger had a PR with a fourth-place finish and time of 4:42.51. 

In the 400, Whitney Williams placed third running a time of 54.65 -- the fifth fastest time in SMU history. Freshman K'Nyah Isaac opened the outdoor season with a time of 57.86 for her first collegiate open 400. Freshman Emily Waller also competed in her first 400H race running a time of 1:03.48. 

Olivia Lackner had the most unique race of the day being the only woman competing in the 3000 meters and, therefore, joining the men in their race. She ran a consistent race and posted a time of 10:54.53. 

"I'm excited about the momentum this group of women has carried over from indoor to outdoor," Haynes said. 

The Mustangs will be back in action next week at Texas Relays in Austin. 

FULL MUSTANGS RESULTS 

100 

17 Raelyn Roberson 12.09 

22 Funminiyi Olajide 12.25 (PB) 

200 

40 Olivia Dobson 26.29 (PB) 

400  

3 Whitney Williams 54.65 

13 K'Nyah Isaac 57.86 (PB) 

800 

3 Steffi Jones 2:14.01 

6 Kendall Saeger 2:20.50 (PB) 

7 Bethan Burley 2:20.63 (PB) 

10 Mackenzie Montandon 2:22.19 

11 Leoni Mierswa 2:22.61 

12 Nikoleta Rafailaki 2:24.73 (PB) 

13 Jessie Crowley 2:25.21 (PB) 

14 Lior Kremer 2:25.43 (PB) 

16 Mia Olsen 2:26.99 (PB) 

17 Maddie Hulcy 2:28.26 (PB) 

18 Cayla Eckenroth 2:31.03 

20 Isabelle LeBey 2:36.13 (PB) 

1500 

1 Steffi Jones 4:35.28 

2 Leoni Mierswa 4:36.16 (PB) 

4 Kendall Saeger 4:42.51 (PB) 

6 Mia Olsen 4:44.90 (PB) 

8 Nikoleta Rafailaki 4:47.45 (PB) 

9 Jessie Crowley 4:47.58 (PB) 

11 Maddie Hulcy 4:48.02 (PB) 

12 Lior Kremer 4:50.49 

15 Cayla Eckenroth 5:00.15 

18 Isabelle LeBey 5:15.40 (PB) 

3000 

1 Olivia Lackner 10:54.53 

400H 

8 Emily Waller 1:03.48 (PB) 

High Jump 

3 Olivia Dobson 1.66m  

Long Jump 

6 Raelyn Roberson 5.98m 

9 Maria Kavalierou 5.74m (PB) 

20 Maykayla Jackson 5.18m 

Triple Jump 

3 Maria Kavalierou 12.21m (PB) 

7 Maykayla Jackson 11.73m