Day One Results | Decathlon | Heptathlon
Photo Gallery | Championship Central
WICHITA, Kan. – Six Redbirds qualified for finals in their respective events and 11 recorded personal records for Illinois State on day one of the Missouri Valley Conference Track and Field Championship Friday at Wichita State's Cessna Stadium.
Halfway through the men's decathlon, ISU's Jordan Wilkerson ended day one in first place with 3,846 points, while teammate James Brandenburg finished the day in third place, with 3,701 points.
"Jordan and James had a fantastic start in the decathlon today," Director of Track and Field Jeff Bovee said. "Both men are in a great position going into day two. It has been a long time since a Redbird has won the decathlon, and both men are right in the hunt."
Wilkerson (10.85, second) and Brandenburg (11.10, fifth) both earned personal bests in the 100m to start the decathlon. Wilkerson then recorded a personal best in the long jump (22-05.75, third), and Brandenburg tallied a personal best in the shot put (38-03.25, fifth). In his first-career shot put attempt, Wilkerson finished third (39-11.25). Wilkerson and Brandenburg will compete in the second half of the decathlon Saturday beginning at 11:30 a.m.
Through the first half of the women's heptathlon, Tessa Holland ended day one in fifth place, with 3,069 points. In the heptathlon, Holland recorded personal bests in the 100H (14.45, ninth) and the shot put (34-09.00, fifth). In the open javelin, Holland also earned a personal best (141-00, fifth).
"Tessa competed very well in both the heptathlon and open javelin where she is on pace to score her all-time best," Bovee said.
Of the four preliminary races Friday – the 1500m and the 200m – six Redbirds qualified for finals, including three in the women's 1500m: Grace Beattie (4:33.55 – personal record), Sydney Billingsley (4:35.59) and Dakota Roman (4:35.97). On the men's side, Jack Anstey (3:54.92) advanced to Sunday's 1500m final.
"I was very pleased with the number of qualifiers we had in the 1500m today, with four," Bovee said. "We have some great scoring opportunities there."
Also qualifying for finals were D'Jenne Egharevba (23.84 – personal record) in the women's 200m and Derrius Rodgers (21.30) in the men's 200m final. Both will compete in Sunday's final.
Zachary Gregory began the day by finishing eighth in the hammer throw (165-07) to pick up a point for the Redbirds. Brandenburg then recorded a personal record in the javelin (156-07, eighth) to earn another point. Ashley England earned two points with a seventh-place finish in the 10,000m (37:02.65), and Cody Baele finished fourth in the 10,000m (30:40.78) to earn five points.
"Zachary did a nice job snagging a point in the hammer, and we have a big day ahead of us tomorrow where we need to continue getting bodies in finals," Bovee said.
The Illinois State women's and men's track and field teams continue competition Saturday at the three-day Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championship, starting with resumption of the heptathlon at 10:30 a.m. Field events then begin at 3 p.m. followed by running events at 5 p.m. Fans can follow along throughout the weekend with live results posted on MVC-Sports.com and live video via The Valley on ESPN3.
GoRedbirds.com: Your online source for Illinois State Athletics, tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
