STRONG EQUALS LONG JUMP RECORD, GVERO TAKES HAMMER THROW AT LEON JOHNSON INVITATIONAL

RESULTS

Natchitoches, Louisiana- Michael Strong, school record holder in the long jump indoors, has equaled the program standard in the event outdoors with a record-setting performance at the Leon Johnson Invitational Friday in Natchitoches, Louisiana.
 
The junior from New Orleans won the long jump competition with a leap of 24' 5.75".  He matched the record set by his teammate Aaron Worrell at the McNeese Cowboy Meet back on March 9 in Lake Charles.
 
"The motto I always preach is "all you need is one jump" and he won the competition on his last jump," said head coach Brian Johnson, a 2008 Olympian in the long jump.  "Michael needed this because he had been struggling.  I'm proud of him that he was able to put it together and get it done."
 
Strong, a product of Lusher High School in New Orleans, defeated Jacorious Jeter of host-school Northwestern State, who came into the meet with the best distance in the Southland Conference this season.
 
Michael Strong was not alone atop the winner's podium for UNO.   Freshman thrower Vojislav Gvero was the winner in the men's hammer throw with an effort of 198' 11".  He won the event by 9 feet 3 inches.
 
"Even though he is just a freshman I'm starting to expect this from him.  He is producing and by the time he's a junior he should be killing it in the hammer.  He's doing what he is supposed to do and that's all we can ask of him."
 
Sixth-year senior sprinter Euricka Hardy, a transfer from Alcorn State, finished 3^rd in the women's 100 meters with a time of 11.94.  It was her first competition in nearly a year.
 
"It's fine to have one or two highlights but we need more from the overall group as we move toward conference.  But overall I thought we did pretty well, said Johnson.
 
The Privateers will travel next to Baton Rouge, Louisiana for the LSU Alumni Gold Meet, Saturday, April 20.  They'll return to Natchitoches for the Southland Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships, Friday-Sunday, May 3-5.
 
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