Results
CHARLESTON, Ill. – The Illinois State men's and women's track and field teams posted a strong season opener on Friday night at the EIU Early Bird. Both the men and women earned second place in the team standings. The men captured 133 points while the women posted 139 points.
There were many individual winners on both the men's and women's side. For the men, freshman Derrius Rodgers had a stellar season debut, as he won both the 60-meter dash (6.77) and 200-meter dash (22.04). Rodgers' 60-meter dash time is ranked second on the ISU's all-time best list and is tied for fourth in the nation. His time is also leading the Missouri Valley Conference.
"We had a lot of new faces today," Director of Track and Field/Cross Country Jeff Bovee said. "One particular stand out was Derrius Rodgers. I am really happy for him and he had a strong freshman debut. Another standout would have to be Jaylan McConico. He had a spectacular performance and gave us a boost in the short hurdles."
Jaylan McConico posted as strong effort in the men's 60-meter hurdles, as he finished second in with a time of 8.01. McConico's time ranks second on ISU's all-time best list and his time is leading the MVC.
Another standout performance came from senior Jalen Lewis, who won the men's 400-meter dash with a time of 50.21. In the 600-meter dash, David Curnock (1:23.06) captured first place, while Justin Agustin (1:23.46) notched second.
The men's 4x400-meter relay—Augustin, Curnock, Kyle Hatton and Lewis—finished first with a time of 3:23.65.
In the field, the Redbirds dominated the men's high jump. Anthony McRoberts took home the crown as he finished first with a height of 2.08m (06-09.75), while Francis Ehigbai (2.08m/06-09.75) took second and Derek Wegman (2.03m/06-08.00) placed third.
James Brandenburg had a solid day as he finished in the top-5 in all of his events. He finished fourth in pole vault with a mark of 3.79m (12-05.25). He also finished fourth in the 60-meter hurdles at a time of 8.31. In long jump, Brandenburg placed fifth with a leap at 6.62m (21-08.75).
On the women's side, freshman D'Jenne Egharevba had a tremendous day, as she won the 200-meter dash (25.15) and placed third in the 60-meter dash (7.70). Egharevba's 200-meter time broke the EIU Early Bird meet record. Emily Cowan followed pursuit as she finished second in the 200-meter dash with a time at 25.54.
Amanda McClain had a solid effort in the 400-meter dash, as she won and beat the meet record with a time of 56.45. She also won the women's long jump with a mark of 5.64m (18-06.00).
"Amanda McClain blew away the field in the women's 400," Bovee said. "Then, five minutes later she had to make her first attempt in the long jump. I am really please how she juggled both events today."
In the 60-meter hurdles, Demetria Anderson shined as she won the event with a personal-best time at 8.61. Her time is ranked second in the Valley and fourth on ISU's all-time best list.
The women's 4x400-meter relay squad of Anderson, Whitney Ward, Cowan and Rayanne Wright placed second with a time of 3:58.48.
In the field, Morgan Keller had a spectacular season debut in the shot put as she won the event with a toss at 15.14m (49-08.25). Her mark is leading the MVC and ranks in the top-20 nationally.
Haley Becker and Olivia Rossman posted solid performances as they finished second and third in the high jump. Becker cleared a height at 1.63m (05-04.25), while Rossman cleared her mark at 1.58m (05-02.25).
In the team scores, Indiana State won on both the men's and women's side with 175 points for the men, and 181.5 points for the women. Eastern Illinois men's and women's teams took third, behind the Redbirds with 107 points for the men and 88 points for the women. Western Illinois placed fourth with 81.5 points for the women and 70 points for the men.
"Overall, I thought it was a really strong meet for us," Bovee said. "We will have more of our team going full force when we get back from break, but I thought it was a great start for the Redbirds."
 Illinois State will be back in action on Jan.13, as they take on Indiana State in the annual Terre Haute Double Dual meet.Â
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