MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama men's and women's track and field teams will be heading back to Auburn for the second time this spring when they compete at the War Eagle Invitational. The meet will be held Friday and Saturday at the Hutsell-Rosen Track.

The Jaguars first participated in an event hosted by AU the opening weekend of April at the Tiger Track Classic.

"The expectation is to just keep doing what we have been doing, which is improving and getting ready for outdoor conference championships," said track and field assistant coach David Barnett. "We are about a month away and really starting to hit our stride recording our best marks."

There will be 12 total teams competing at Auburn with the field including the host Tigers, Mississippi State, fellow Sun Belt Conference member Troy and Kent State. 

The Jags will be sending 40 athletes to the meet including; Justin Housley, Nicole Durham, Robert Mann, Marina Swanepoel, Tevin Barnett and Berta, Lucas who all earned first-place finishes in their respective events at the South Alabama Invitational, held last weekend in Gulf Shores, Ala. 

Mark Watts will also be competing for South Alabama this weekend; Watts is currently at the top of the Sun Belt Rankings in the 400-meter dash following his performance at the South Alabama Invitational. 

Barbara Rivera will also be competing at the meet and still is atop the Sun Belt rankings in the javelin from her mark recorded at the Tiger Track Classic; the redshirt freshman did not compete a week ago.

"Some of the races for the sprinters will have prelims and finals, which is good practice," commented Barnett on how the meet will help the team get ready for the Sun Belt Conference Championships, which are less than a month away. "It's a two-day meet, so some of the distance runners will be running on Friday night and Saturday, which is what they will be doing at conference, so that always helps to prepare them."

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

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