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Vincennes University

Trailblazers Continue Momentum at Eastern Indoors

Trailblazers Continue Momentum at Eastern Indoors
Results
February 6, 2026

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Vincennes University Men's and Women's Track and Field returned to the Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center on Feb. 6 for Eastern Indoors, using the meet as a key midseason progression point.

On the men's side, freshman Iheb Slimani and sophomore Anis Abdaoui delivered a historic performance in the 1000 meters. Slimani won in 2:25.37, setting a school record and national qualifying mark, while Abdaoui followed in 2:26.00, also under the previous record and earning a national qualifier while moving to second in program history. Head coach Michael Mangan praised the tandem effort, noting, "They did all the work together to both go under the existing school record at 1000 meters." Distance Coach Tyler Steigenga detailed the race execution. "Anis did a great job leading the first three laps right on pace," Steigenga said. "Iheb took over with two laps to go and capped it off with the win, with Anis right behind. It was great to see them race together."

The men's distance group added depth in the mile. Sophomore Lane Connaway recorded a personal-best 4:35.67, his third consecutive PR. Freshmen Evan Dailey (4:49.30) and Henry Dybsetter (5:07.60) also posted personal bests. Steigenga noted Connaway's sustained development, saying, "Lane has been training at a very high level and is still continuing to PR, which is impressive. Our long-term focus is outdoor season, so it will be exciting to see what he can do there."

The men's sprint group continued its rise. Sophomore ArTezz Butler-Sanders ran a personal-best 7.23 in the 60 meters, while freshman James Howard followed with a 7.49 PR. In the 200 meters, sophomore Devin Wilson clocked a personal-best 22.03, finishing ninth and moving to seventh in school history, and freshman Travon Lane added a personal-best 22.65.

In the hurdles, freshman Robert Burns ran 8.47 in the prelims of the 60-meter hurdles before finishing fourth overall in the finals with a personal-best 8.39, moving into 10th on the VU all-time list. Mangan said, "I was impressed with Robert making the finals and battling through the chaos to run another personal best and earn a spot on the VU all-time list."

The throws group also showed collective progress. Freshman Zackary Hembree recorded a personal-best 12.57 meters in the shot put, while freshman Jesus Castillo added a personal-best 12.08 meters. In the weight throw, freshman Nate Robertson posted a sixth-place, personal-best 13.71 meters, with freshman Jesse Huff (11.55m) and Hembree (11.17m) also recording PRs. "The throw crew is starting to see their hard work pay off, with every athlete recording a personal best at the meet," Mangan said.

On the women's side, freshman Ikram Dorai continued her strong indoor campaign with a national qualifying performance in the 1000 meters, finishing second in 3:01.91, which moves her to second in school history. Mangan added, "Ikram continues to show her versatility, moving near the top of the all-time list in her first try at the 1000 meters."

Sophomore Elizabeth Smith finished sixth in 3:13.76, ranking ninth in program history. Steigenga praised her adaptability, saying, "Liz did a great job stepping into races outside her focus over the past year. She showed she can be a valuable part of our mid-distance relay lineup moving forward."

The women's sprint group continued to progress, as freshman Olivia Chambers-Greer ran a personal-best 8.83 in the 60 meters and freshman Cinnamon Harris added a personal-best 32.96 in the 200 meters.

In the hurdles, freshman Brielle Seiler posted a personal-best, ninth-place 9.97 in the 60-meter hurdles. Mangan highlighted her versatility, saying, "Brielle had a breakthrough meet in the 60 hurdles and then ran a strong lead leg on the 4x400 as she prepares to take on the 400 leg of our Distance Medley Relay."

Mangan called the meet "a great tune-up for our trip to Grand Valley this weekend."

VU returns to action at the GVSU Big Meet, hosted by Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Mich., on February 13–14.

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As always, fans can keep up with the Vincennes University Men's and Women's Track and Field squads all year long through a number of ways: