Southeast Missouri kicked off the Heartland Invitational in Indianapolis, Indiana earning multiple podium finishes across the track and field events. Cole Reinders led the way with a second-place finish in the men's 600 meters in 1:19.6, while Andreese Ortiz placed third in the women's weight throw with a mark of 56-11.5. Anna Thomason added another third-place showing in the women's 60-meter hurdles, crossing the line in 8.46 seconds after qualifying second in preliminaries at 8.53, and Jake Cannon secured third in the men's pole vault invitational by clearing 16-6.5.

The Redhawks also produced several top finishes and personal-best marks throughout the meet. Tyler Anderson finished fourth in the men's 600 meters in 1:20.3, followed by Micah Grawer in sixth at 1:21.6, while Cole Bruenderman placed fourth in the men's long jump with a leap of 22-4.25. Sydney Burdine recorded a fourth-place time of 54.9 in the women's 400 meters, and additional depth came from Aarion Jackson (seventh, men's invitational long jump, 21-11), Kale Clements (seventh, women's 600 meters, 1:38.7), Ceyda Bayur (ninth, women's 600 meters, 1:40.7) and Myles Thornburg (eighth, men's 3,000 meters, 8:36.0). Trenton Braswell finished seventh in the men's invitational weight throw at 65-.5, Alyssa Repke placed seventh in the women's weight throw at 55-3.25 and Bailie Hux took 12th at 52-9.5. Mark Goldman posted an 11th-place personal best of 54-9 in the men's weight throw, while Jackson Witvoet matched a personal-best 48.99 to finish 13th in the men's 400 meters alongside Jonas Davis, who also ran 48.99 to place 10th, and Kani Smith added a 12th-place finish in the men's 60 meters in 6.98.

The meet will wrap up Saturday with field events starting at 8:30 a.m. and track rases firing off at 10:35 a.m.