Day Three Results | Photo Gallery
Women's Scores | Men's Scores
WICHITA, Kan. – Sydney Laufenberg (discus) and Amanda McClain (400m) each won Missouri Valley Conference titles Sunday to help the Illinois State women's team earn second place, with 137 points, at the 2017 MVC Outdoor Track and Field Championship at Wichita State's Cessna Stadium.
The ISU men's 4x100m relay team also won a Valley championship, and the Redbird men finished fifth overall, with 96 points, which was Illinois State's highest score since earning 97 points in 2010. Illinois State's women's team recorded its highest finish since also earning second in 2012. Wichita State won both the men's (181.50) and women's (226) 2017 MVC team titles.
"The women battled hard and earned their first outdoor trophy since 2012," Director of Track and Field Jeff Bovee said. "I am very proud of them to achieve this feat indoors (also second place) and outdoors this year, and I see a bright future ahead, as we have so many contributors returning next year. Congratulations to (Wichita State) Coach (Steve) Rainbolt and his staff for winning both the men's and women's titles this weekend. He has developed a strong program, and we wish them well in the American Athletic Conference. I am also grateful to my staff and to our seniors for their wonderful contributions."
McClain led Illinois State's scoring effort and ranked fifth in the league with 20 points. She scored 10 points by winning the 400m (54.19), eight points by finishing second in the long jump (19-09.00) and two points for helping the 4x400m relay team earn second (3:40.74). McClain's 400m title was the Redbird women's first since 2013.
"Amanda powered through a nasty headwind to win a close race and defend the titles she won indoors, as well," Bovee said.
Laufenberg recorded a personal-best throw of 169-07 to earn ISU's first MVC women's discus title since 2009. Morgan Keller finished third in the event by throwing 157-04. On Saturday, Brandy Thomas won the women's shot put title and Keller was runner-up.
"The women's throwers backed up a strong shot put competition with an equally impressive discus competition won by our true freshman," Bovee said.
ISU's men's 4x100m relay team defended its 2016 title, as Dion Hooker, Deshaun Jordan, Andy Hatch and Derrius Rodgers teamed up to run a 40.45. Along with anchoring the 4x100m relay, Rodgers led the ISU men's team in scoring and ranked sixth in the MVC with 18.50 points by placing second in the 100m (running a personal-best 10.26 to score eight points) and finishing third in the 200m (20.74 for six points). Additionally, Rodgers anchored the 4x400m relay team which finished second (3:11.06).
"Our relays ran exceptional today, as we posted season-bests across the board into a healthy headwind," Bovee said.
By leading all freshmen in scoring, Rogers was named MVC Freshman of the Year. On the women's side, ISU's D'Jenne Egharevba also garnered Valley Freshman of the Year accolades. Egharevba tied for 10th in the MVC by scoring 14.25 points for the ISU women's team, including six points with a third-place finish in the 100m (11.49), five points with a fourth-place finish in the 200m (23.89) and two points and 1.2 points in the 4x400m relay and the 4x100m relay, respectively.
"We are thrilled to have both the male and female Valley freshmen of the years," Bovee said. "The future is bright for D'Jenne and Derrius, and these two are examples of the talent that we have on these young teams. Kellen Krevik had an outstanding vault competition today (fourth, 15-09.75), and we saw Tony McRoberts score in his third event today (triple jump, sixth, 47-09.25). Those are two more talented freshmen who stepped up."
Jaylan McConico – who finished third in the men's 110H with a person-best time of 13.91, joined Laufenberg, McClain, Rodgers, Egharevba and Keller as the recipient of one of seven All-MVC accolades earned by Redbirds Sunday afternoon.
"Overall, our men scored the most points at an outdoor conference meet in many years, and we have the building blocks to make big jumps next year in the standings," Bovee said.
With the MVC Outdoor Track and Field Championship complete, qualifying Redbirds will next compete in the NCAA West Preliminary, May 25-27, in Austin, Texas. A complete list of qualifiers will be posted at a later date to GoRedbirds.com.
Sunday: Illinois State MVC Champions
Men's 4x100m relay: 1st, 40.45 season-best
Sydney Laufenberg, 1st women's discus: 169-07 PR
Amanda McClain, 1st women's 400m: 54.19
Sunday: Illinois State All-MVC Performers (top-three)
Men's 4x100m relay: 1st, 40.45 season-best
Sydney Laufenberg, 1st women's discus: 169-07 PR
Amanda McClain, 1st women's 400m: 54.19
Men's 4x400m relay: 2nd, 3:11.06 season-best
Women's 4x400m relay: 2nd, 3:40.74 season-best
Derrius Rodgers, 2nd men's 100m: 10.26 PR
D'Jenne Egharevba, 3rd women's 100m: 11.49
Morgan Keller, 3rd women's discus: 157-04
Jaylan McConico, 3rd men's 110H: 13.91 PR
Derrius Rodgers, 3rd men's 200M: 20.74
Saturday: Illinois State MVC Champions
Brandy Thomas, 1st women's shot put: 15.68m (51-05.50) PR
Saturday: Illinois State All-MVC Performers (top-three)
Brandy Thomas, 1st women's shot put: 15.68m (51-05.50) PR
James Brandenburg, 2nd decathlon: 6604
Morgan Keller, 2nd women's shot put: 15.45m (50-08.25)
Amanda McClain, 2nd women's long jump: 19-09.00
Tessa Holland, 3rd women's high jump: 5-05.75
Ariel Michalek, 3rd women's 3000m steeplechase: 10:43.77
Tyler Morse, 3rd men's 3000m steeplechase: 9:18.98
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