Redbirds Wrap Up Day 2 At NCAA West Preliminary Round

AUSTIN, Texas – Several Illinois State track and field student-athletes took the track Friday on the second day of competition at the 2017 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field West Preliminary Round hoping to keep their chances of advancing to the NCAA Championships alive.

Throwers Sydney Laufenberg and Morgan Keller were the first in action Friday for the Redbirds, as the duo took the ring for the discus competition at noon. Laufenberg recorded a throw of 49.70 meters (163'1") on her first attempt, but could not better her chances in the final two throws and finished 29th overall. Keller fouled on her first two attempts, but then tallied a mark of 43.94 meters (144'2") on her final throw to round out the competition.

"Sydney had a great first throw to start the discus competition, and then took a risk on throws two and three," ISU head coach Jeff Bovee said. "I was impressed by her competitive spirit, despite the risk not paying off."

The ISU hurdlers were next to hit the track, with sophomore Demetria Anderson running a time of 13.79 seconds in the women's 100 meter hurdles to finish 39th. Freshman Jaylen McConico then took his shot in the men's 110 meter hurdles, as he ran a time of 14.19 seconds to just miss out on qualifying for Saturday's quarterfinal race.  

D'Jenne Egharevba then took the track for the second day in a row, looking to punch her ticket to the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon, in the women's 100 meter dash quarterfinals.  The standout freshman recorded a time of 11.54 seconds in the quarterfinal, but did not advance as part of the top 12. After running in the men's 100 meter dash yesterday, freshman Derrius Rodgers hit the track for the men's 200 meter first round race.  Rodgers clocked a time of 21.02 seconds to fall just short of advancing to Saturday's quarterfinals.

"The young group of sprinters and hurdlers didn't advance, but they all have bright futures," Bovee stated. "Coach (Brenton) Emanuel will have a bevy of returners hungry to advance to Eugene the next time around."

A trio of Redbirds will take their last shot at advancing to the NCAA Championship Saturday on the final day of competition at the 2017 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field West Preliminary. Freshman Anthony McRoberts will attempt the double, competing first in the men's triple jump at 3 p.m., and then in the high jump at 6 p.m.  Also at 6 p.m., Keller and teammate Brandy Thomas will take the ring for the women's shot put competition.

Live stats and live video will be made available through texassports.com each day and for live updates, follow the official Redbird track and field Twitter account @Redbird_TrackXC and use the hashtag #NCAATF.

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