NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State track and field teams will travel Friday to Iowa City, Iowa, to compete in the Black & Gold Premier, which is a two-day meet hosted by the University of Iowa. Competition will be begin Friday at 11 a.m. with the heptathlon 60-meter dash. The meet will continue on Saturday with competition slated to start at 10 a.m. with the heptathlon 60-meter hurdles.
The Redbirds will be competing against Notre Dame, Tulsa, Illinois men's team, Wisconsin, Loyola and Minnesota men's team. Competition with be held in the UI Recreation Building, which was reopened in 2016 with a new raised track that sits up to give feet off the ground. The one-of-a-kind surface previously was used at the 2016 World Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
The men's and women's teams are coming off a strong performance at the John Craft Invitational where the Redbirds notched 17 individual wins, and the women won the team title.
Standout Ashleigh Wilson had a tremendous performance in the women's 600-meter dash, as she won the event and bumped up the ISU's all-time best list to third with a time at 1:32.88. Ally Christiani also improved her 600-meter time, as she finished second with a personal-best time at 1:34.13.
Showcase performances came from Charde Golliday as she posted her first collegiate win in the women's long jump at a personal-best mark of 5.83m (19-01.50), which is also ranked second in the Missouri Valley right behind her fellow teammate Amanda McClain (19-04.75). Golliday then went on to place second in the triple jump at a distance of 11.39m (37-04.50).
For the men, Jack Anstey made an impressive career debut, as he won the men's 800-meter run at a time of 1:52.73, which beat the John Craft Invite record, and is leading the Valley.
Fans can follow the action at the Black & Gold Premier via 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.
