MOBILE, Ala. Michael Yani and Albert Fournette each recorded first-place finishes on the men's side and Tarvia Conway added a first-place finish on the women's side to lead the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns track and field team during the first day of the 14th annual South Alabama Invitational on Friday at Jaguar Track.
 
Action concludes on Saturday beginning at 10 a.m., opening with the men's javelin and women's long jump, before running events begin at 11. Louisiana is one of nine schools competing in the meet joining host South Alabama, Arkansas State, Troy, Belhaven, Birmingham Southern, Loyola, Tulane, West Florida and William Carey.
 
"Overall, it was a successful day and a good stepping stone as we progress through the season," head coach Lon Badeaux said. "This was one of those meets where we travel and compete on the same day and the results sometimes are not where we want them to be. We were able to get some good marks in the first round, with some of our kids setting PR's and moving up in the (East) regional standings. But when you get to the second round, the level usually drops off. Our kids will be rested and ready to compete (Saturday) and continue to progress as we deeper into the season."
 
Vani captured the men's pole vault, clearing the bar in a personal-best 17 feet, 1.5 inches and pacing a group of four Cajuns who finished in the top six. Matt Wilson finished fourth for Louisiana with a season-best mark of 15-9 while Josh McDaniels (14-9) and Caleb Wisecarver (14-3.25) were fifth and sixth, respectively.
 
Fournette was one of four Cajuns to finish in the top seven in the shot put as he claimed his fourth individual title in as many meets with a throw of 60-5.75. Kenneth Nassar finished fourth for the Cajuns (53-4.5) with Spencer Nezat (48-7.5) finishing sixth and Scotty Williams (47-0.75) seventh.
 
Ricky Theyard led the Cajuns in the triple jump with a mark of 48-2 to finish fourth overall while Landon Carroll (172-10) finished sixth overall in the hammer throw.
 
Conway posted a season-best jump of 41-1.50 to earn her third individual title in the women's triple jump in as many meets. Teammate Ta'Shania Bean finished third overall after posting a mark of 39-8.
 
In the women's hammer throw, Brittany Blunt finished second overall after tying a season-high with a mark of 170-5. Jana Jones (132-10) finished sixth overall with teammate Aimee Leitko (125-6) placing seventh.
 
Jones added a third-place finish after posting a season-best in the shot put (43-8.5) to lead the Ragin' Cajuns. Tamela Young (42-4.25) added a season-best to finish fourth with Kaitlyn Moreau (35-8.75) finishing sixth.