BEAUMONT, Texas – Thai Williams had a big day that broke a school record at the Bobcat Invitational at Texas State and led several good marks for Lamar University Track and Field program at three different meets Friday, that also included San Francisco Distance Carnival and the Texas Relays.
 
Williams – the indoor season's Southland Female Athlete of the Year – shattered her previous personal best and topped a 36-year old school record held by Carolyn Ford with a huge 20 feet, 7 ¾ inches leap. Her jump is also the top time in the Southland Conference and would rank fourth in nation and first in the West Region.
 
Ford's mark is 19 feet, 9 ¾ inches set in 1981.
 
"We're talking about a record that has been held for long time and by Carolyn Ford, one of LU's greatest female athletes. We've had a lot of good athletes come through that couldn't do that," said head coach Trey Clark. "Early in her career she shows that potential of where she could be, but that's just the potential. She's a sophomore, which is good for us because she can represent this program and institution for years to come."
 
The closest mark to Williams' was Jaden Mattox's (Purdue) leap of 19 feet, 7 ½ inches. Williams jumped six times, and it was the sixth time that was the one that stuck.
 
"Thai is a great competitor. That was proven at the indoor meet and it was proven today," said Clark. "Anytime she's on the runway she's going to compete at her best."
 
Not far behind her in the standings was her teammate Deja Phillips in fourth place with a 19 feet, 6 ¼ inches jump. She set her outdoor personal best and narrowly missed her all-time top mark by only by a ½ inch.
 
Also at Texas State, Adam Richard picked up the Cardinals top time early in the 2017 outdoor season in the 100 meters. He crossed in 10.90 seconds. Both Jimmy Struble and Thomas Lightfoot ran the 100 at the Texas Relays, and they finished on 11.21 and 11.35 times, respectively.
 
Richard also took part in the long jump at the Bobcat Invitational and leapt at 20 feet, 10 ¾ inches. Keri Banks was ninth in the women's high jump with her finish of five feet and three inches.
 
On the women's side, Chanissey Fowler turned in the women's best time of the 100 meters at the Texas Relays. She ran an 11.87 time. In the 100-meter hurdles, Meagan Menifee put up a 14.87 mark – team season best – and Kyara Levi ran with her on a 15.31 time.
 
In California, Keith Fallon ran Lamar's best time in the men's 1500 meters at the San Francisco Distance Carnival. He ran a 3:58.54 time and teammate Stu Ferguson followed with a 4:18.84 race.
 
The Cardinals wrapped up their time at the Texas Relays Friday. Several will compete Saturday at the Bobcat Invitational.