NORMAL, Ill. – After capturing their first Terre Haute Double-Dual victory in 12 seasons, the Illinois State men's and women's track and field teams will pick up right where they left off when they travel to South Bend, Indiana, to compete in the Notre Dame Invitational Saturday. Field events are slated to start at 9 a.m. CT, with track events following at 11 a.m. CT.
In addition to the Redbirds and host Irish, this weekend's meet will feature five men's and women's track & field programs: Cincinnati, DePaul, Louisville, North Carolina, and Northern Illinois.
The women's field will be highlighted by the Bearcats of Cincinnati, who are currently ranked 21st in the nation by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). According to the USTFCCCA, the Bearcats will also be the top-competitor on the men's side, as they come in at No. 48 in the country.
In ISU's last outing at the Terre Haute Double-Dual, the Redbirds received a strong performance from the men's hurdles' squad. Jaylan McConico headlined all student-athletes, winning the 60-meter hurdles and re-setting his own school record in the event with a time of 7.84. His mark, which earned him MVC Male Track Athlete of the Week honors for the second time this season, currently ranks eighth in all of Division I.
Kentre Patterson and Duane Sleet also made their presences known, posting the third- and eighth-fastest 60-meter hurdles times, respectively, in Illinois State history. Patterson crossed the finish line in 8.03, and Sleet clocked in at 8.37.
On the women's side, Hattie Plumb had a solid outing in the 800-meter run, recording a new personal-best of 2:13.72. Her time ranks second in the Valley so far this season.
In the field, Charde Golliday and Kristin Higgins capitalized. Golliday captured a new season-best in the long jump, recording a leap of 5.78m (18-11.75), while Higgins posted a new personal-record of 1.65m (5-05.00) in the high jump. Both Golliday and Higgins are currently seeded second in the MVC in their respective events.
Live action of the race can be followed on Twitter via @Redbird_TrackXC. Full coverage will be available on GoRedbirds.com following the conclusion of the meet.
GoRedbirds.com: Your online source for Illinois State Athletics tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
