NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State men's and women's track and field teams open the 2015-16 indoor season at the EIU Early Bird on Dec. 11 in Charleston, Illinois. The meet is set to start at 2 p.m. with field events, following the track events at 4 p.m.
"The EIU meet on Friday is a great meet for our athletes to assess their fitness and abilities before heading home for winter break," Illinois State Director of Track and Field/Cross Country Jeff Bovee said. "We will see many new Redbirds competing for the first time and getting a tastes of Division I competition. We will also see a few veterans stretch their wings and provide leadership for a much-improved redbird track and field program. The coaching staff has long-anticipated for this day, which ultimately sets the tone for 2015-16."
Illinois State men's and women's team both finished fifth at the 2014-15 Indoor Missouri Valley Conference Championships, and look to climb into the top three this season.
ISU returns four All-Conference First-team members in Anderson Devonish, Antonio Farley, Kelly McShea, and Ariel Michalek. Devonish was the 2015 Indoor Valley champion in the 400-meter dash. Devonish and Farley posted top times last of 48.14 and 49.39, respectively.
McShea received two All-Conference honors in the Valley championship. She earned first place in the 3,000-meter run with at time of 9:34.90, and third place in the 5,000-meter run with a time of 16:51.68.
Michalek received All-Conference honors with a second-place finish at the championships in the 3,000-meter run with a time of 9:37.39. Although, Devonish, Farely, McShea, and Michalek will not be competing this week, all will be back in action for the dual meet against Indiana State on Jan. 15.
After a long year off, redshirt-senior Ryan Rutherford returns to the track for the 2015-16 season. Rutherford will travel to Bloomington, Indiana to compete in the Hoosier Open on Friday (Dec. 11). Rutherford is coming off of one of the most successful track seasons in his career, where he posted ISU's school record in the 5,000-meter (13:49.99) and 10,000-meter (28:41.23). Â He will start is senior campaign by competing in the men's 5,000-meter fast section to gain a spot to the NCAA Championships. Â
On the Track
Sarah Mussallem and Katelyn Hill are top ISU sprinters that will be competing on Friday. Â Last year, Mussallem held the third fastest 400-meter dash in the Missouri Valley at 54.88. Hill ranked ninth in the 200-meter with a time of 24.34.
Senior Jackie Mink will look to pace the mid-distance runners. Mink posted an outdoor 800-meter personal-best of 2:10.47.
On the men's side, CJ Hamilton, Jalen Lewis, and Ben Montgomery return to the track for the 2015-16 season. Last year, Hamilton and Montgomery were ranked in the top-10 in the 400-meter dash in the Missouri Valley. Hamilton will look to regain his form in the 800-meter run this year and contend for a Valley championships as he did in 2013. Lewis competes in hurdles, short sprints, and is part of the ISU relay teams.
Newcomers Dion Hooker and Shandall Thomas are two sprinters that will begin their freshman campaign at the EIU Early Bird. Hooker and Thomas were both four-time state qualifiers, and will add considerable depth to the ISU short sprints crew among many other talented men.
Field Events Â
Morgan Keller is one of the top throwers returning this season in the Valley. She will lead a talent group of young throwers this weekend and try to establish herself near the top of the leaders' board.
Newcomer Tessa Holland will be a multi-event athlete for ISU this year. She received all-state accolades four times in her high school career. She will also contribute in the jumps and the hurdles.
Follow the action of the EIU Early Bird Invitational on Twitter @Redbird_TrackXC, or go to GoRedbirds.com for full coverage following the conclusion of the meet.
GoRedbirds.com:Â Your online source for Illinois State Athletics, tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
