TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – On Day One of the 2018 MVC Outdoor Track & Field Championships, hosted by Indiana State, sophomore Ariana Cranston claimed the women's pole vault title. This marks Cranston's first Valley title and second All-Conference honor of her career.
"Today was a solid start, and it was great to get another spark from the pole vault crew, this time with Ari earning the 'Birds our first Valley title of the meet," said Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Jeff Bovee. "Overall, we battled well today, but we need to have a good second day and advance as many athletes as possible to Sunday's finals. We will be looking for a few more sparks similar to Ari's tomorrow."
Cranston cleared a winning height of 3.79m (12-05.25) to claim the women's pole vault crown. This is the second-straight Valley meet that she has claimed All-MVC distinction in the event, after finishing as the runner-up at the 2018 MVC Indoor Track & Field Championships.
Competing in the 10,000-meter, Kyle Mattes also earned All-Valley honors on the opening day of the meet. Mattes clocked in at 31:39.81 to finish third overall, receiving All-Conference accolades for the second time of his track and field career.
Several Illinois State student-athletes posted impressive performances in the preliminary heats of their respective events, advancing to Sunday's finals.
Anderson Devonish was perhaps the most notable, posting the fastest 200-meter qualifying time of 20.76. Not only did Devonish's time break the Gibson Track & Field Complex Facility Record, but it also broke the MVC Meet record of 20.79 that was set last season by Brandon Carnes.
Ben Montgomery also moves on to Sunday's 200-meter finals after finishing tied for first in his heat with a personal-best time of 21.14. His mark ranks eighth all-time in Redbird track and field history.
On the women's side, D'Jenne Egharevba captured a personal-record 200-meter time of 23.49 to advance to finals. Her time was the fastest qualifying time of all the competitors.
The Redbirds' 1,500-meter runners also excelled today in their preliminary heats. Jack Anstey (4:03.37) and Jake Gillum (4:05.09) both automatically qualified for Sunday's finals. In the women's race, Annie Moore posted an automatic qualifying time of 4:47.94 and will compete in Sunday's finals as well.
Illinois State's multi-athletes got off to a solid start on the first day of competition. Half-way through the decathlon, James Brandenburg leads the pack with 3,768 points. On Friday, he captured two first-place finishes in the long jump (6.88m/22-07.00) and high jump (1.94m/6-04.25) and recorded personal-bests in the 100-meter (11.02) and shot put (11.99m/39-04.00).
Jordan Wilkerson sits not far behind in third with 3,714 points after posting first place finishes in the 100-meter (10.90) and high jump (1.94m/6-04.25). He also claimed second place finishes in the long jump (6.71m/22-00.25) and 400-meter (50.51).
In the heptathlon, freshman Ashlee Stieler made her mark, as she sits third with 3,012 points with three events remaining. Her best event of the day was the shot put, where she launched a heave of 11.39m (37-04.50) to finish second. Both the decathlon and heptathlon competitions will conclude tomorrow.
Through the first day of competition the Redbird women sit in second with 28.5 points, trailing first place Northern Iowa (45.5 points) by 17 points. Thru three events, the Illinois State men are in sixth with 10 points.
Other Notable Performances
Men's 10,000-meter
7th - Cody Baele (32:35.34)
Men's Hammer Throw
7th - Sam Weisz (52.59m/172-06)
Women's 10,000-meter
5th - Erica Brown (37:11.99)
6th - Ashley England (37:26.53)
Women's Hammer Throw
5th - Julia Bourke (57.72m/189-04)
Women's Javelin
4th - Tessa Holland (38.92m/127-08)
8th - Ashlee Stieler (36.06m/118-04)
Women's Pole Vault
7th - Nicole Bagwell (3.54m/11-07.00)
The 2018 MVC Outdoor Track & Field Championships will resume tomorrow morning at 9:30 a.m. CT with the heptathlon. The decathlon will follow at 10:30 a.m. CT. Field events are slated to start at 2 p.m. CT. Running events will begin at 4 p.m. CT.
Redbird fans can follow along with all the championship action on Twitter via @Redbird_TrackXC. Full coverage will be available on GoRedbirds.com following the conclusion of each day of the meet.
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