Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Track and Field	SIUE Track and Field SIUE Athletics

Scott Block

January 15, 2008 Cougars Qualify at Missouri Invitational, Block Sets Records         EDWARDSVILLE, ILL. -- The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville men's track program started its 2008 indoor track campaign in high gear this past weekend in Columbia, Mo., at the Missouri Invite.         "In the six years I have been here, this is the best first meet we have had. Everyone across the board, both the men and women, performed well," said SIUE coach David Astrauskas.         Led by Scott Block (Hanover Park), SIUE turned in nine NCAA qualifying performances in the men's and women's events combined. The previous number of NCAA qualifying performances turned in for a season opening meet under Astrauskas was two.         In addition to qualifying for the NCAA meet in two events, Block also broke two SIUE school records. Needing only a shot put of 17.40 meters to automatically qualify for NCAAs, Block tossed 17.42 meters (57 feet, 2 inches) and set a new SIUE record. The old record set by Mark Milleville in 2003 was 16.35 meters.         For the 35-pound weight toss, Block replaced Lee Weeden atop the SIUE records leader board. Block hurled the weight 18.75 meters (61-6.25), besting Weeden's 2005 record of 18.38 meters.         Cougar newcomer Wasim Walker (Cahokia) also turned in a qualifying performance in the triple jump. With his jump of 14.48 meters, Walker provisionally qualified for the NCAA Championships and placed third overall at the Missouri Invitational.         The 1,600-meter relay team of Chris Littleton (Champaign), Chris Wright (Richton Park) Marcus Evans (Skokie), and Nicholas Harold (Urbana) provisionally qualified for NCAA meet with a time 3 minutes, 18.24 seconds.         Next up for SIUE is the EIU Mega Meet on Saturday in Charleston, Ill.                 -siue cougars-