Basic HTML Version
2013 Track and Field Media Guide
Southern Illinois Track and Field
SIUSalukis.com
24
24
Abdurahim Haji
Indoor: Freshman
Outdoor: Freshman
XC: Freshman
Chicago, Ill.
Distance Bios
Kulayifi Haji
Indoor: Junior
Outdoor: Junior
XC: Sophomore
Chicago, Ill.
Track:
2011-12:
Participated in four events in ten meets combined in
the indoor and outdoor seasons (Mile, 1500m, 3000m, 5000m)...
Notched six top-ten finishes combined...Best finish came in the
mile at the Saluki Invitational, where he finished third with a
time of 4:23.93.
2010-11:
Competed in nine meets for the Salukis... Earned five
top-ten finishes...Placed fourth in the 1 Mile at the Saluki Fast
Start...Finished fifth in the 1 mile at the Saluki Open with a
season best time of 4:20.18...Participated in the MVC Indoor
Championships.
Cross Country:
2012:
Ran in four races for the Salukis...Two top-20 finishes,
including a sixth-place finish at the SIU Early Bird...Best 8K
time of the season was 26:19, clocked at the Bradley Classic on
Oct. 12.
2011:
Participated in six meets, all with the Salukis...Best finish
came at the SIU Early Bird on Sep. 2 in fifth place...Had an aver-
age finish of 34.3.
2010:
Redshirted
High School:
Three-time state qualifier and team’s most valu-
able player at Lane Tech College Prep in Chicago...Set the
school record in the indoor 4x800m during his senior year...
Named Most Inspirational Athlete all four years.
Personal:
Born on Nov. 1, 1992, to Kadir Datu and Asho Kalu...
Majoring in health care management.
TJ Heffernan
Indoor: Junior
Outdoor: Junior
XC: Junior
Batavia, Ill.
Track:
2011-12:
Named a spring recipient of the Missouri Valley Confer-
ence State Farm Good Neighbor Award, which is awarded to one
athlete from each conference school per season (fall, winter and
spring) to student-athletes based on their classroom performance
and community service efforts...MVC Scholar-Athlete...Part of
the MVC Champion distance medley team in the indoor season...
Competed in four events in 11 meets combined in the indoor
and outdoor seasons (Mile, 800m, 1500m, 3000m)...Notched six
top-ten finishes combined...Best finish came in the 3000m at the
Gladstein Invitational, where he finished second with a time of
8:30.20.
2010-11:
All-MVC performer in the Distance Medley Relay...Mis-
souri Valley Conference Event Champion as part of the Distance
Medley Relay team...Competed in 11 meets during the indoor and
outdoor seasons...Earned six top-ten finishes.
2009-10:
Ran in one event during the outdoor season, finish-
ing 14th in the 1500m at the SIU Spring Classic with a time of
4:11.10.
Cross Country:
2012:
Ran in two meets for Southern...Best finish was 10th place
at the Saluki Invitational.
2011:
Competed in five meets for the Salukis...Best finish came at
the Saluki Invitational, where he finished sixth.
2010:
Competed in four meets in 2010...Took 16th place at the
MVC Championship with a time of 25:31.87...Named to the MVC
Scholar-Athlete team.
2009:
Ran in three events during the 2009 campaign...Finished
no worse than 26th during the season...Posted a season-best 15th
place finish to help the Salukis capture the EIU Panther Open title.
High School:
Competed at sectionals all four years of high
school...Named second team all-area as a junior, when he ran
a personal-best 51.32 in the 400m...Ran a 4:28 indoors in the
1600m...Was team captain as senior.
Personal:
Full name is Thomas J. Heffernan...Majoring in ac-
counting...Born June 14, 1990 in Norfolk, Va...Son of Joanne and
James Heffernan...Has one sibling.
Personal Bests
Indoor
Outdoor
Mile - 4:20.18
1500m - 3:59.97
3000m - 8:42.14
3000m - 8:55.34
5000m - 15:30.47
Personal Bests
Indoor
Outdoor
800m - 1:55.43
800m - 1:56.75
Mile - 4:16.48
1500m - 3:54.21
3000m - 8:30.20
5000m - 15:33.29
5000m - 15:12.01