Illinois State sophomore JaRod Tobler jumped 51-2 3/4, a provisional qualifying distance for the NCAA Championship, taking first-place in the triple jump at Saturdays Illinois Invitational. The Redbird womens team took second in the meet while the mens team finished third.
Tobler also claimed second-place in the long jump with a distance of 23-0 1/4. Newcomer Iheanyi Obia took third, leaping 21-10 1/4.
JaRod really had a great jump, head coach Jeff Pigg said. Overall, it was a great opener after the break. Everyones healthy and I was pleased with what I saw today.
In the mens throwing events, captain Alfie Gordillo heaved the 35-pound weight 63-0 3/4 for first while teammate Joe Drevlow took second with a throw of 54-8 1/4. Gordillo added a second-place finish in the shot put with a toss of 51-5 1/2. Peoria native Harry Lattimore finished right behind Gordillo with a mark of 49-5.
Senior Robert Briets success from the cross country season carried over into the indoor track season as he clocked the fastest time in the field in the mile, 4:13.21. Miklos Konkoly had the top time in the 800, turning in a time of 1:54.00. Freshman Gabe Cruz was right on Konkolys heels, finishing fourth with a time of 1:54.80 while Akos Kaldenecker took fifth, finishing in 1:57.76.
On the womens side, the Redbird throws crew looked strong once again as freshman Liz Chukwudebe claimed second in the shot put with a toss of 45-6 1/2. Latisha Johnsons throw of 45-3 was good for third-place while Sam Serrano finished fourth with a mark of 43-9 1/4. Serrano, who qualified for the NCAA meet in the 20-pound weight during the Birds first meet, bettered her previous qualifying mark and placed second in the event with a throw of 59-0.
Illinois State took three of the top four spots in the triple jump as Monique Haan claimed second with a leap of 39-2 1/2. Senior Nicole Blow finished third with a distance of 37-6 while Melanie Zimmerman took fourth with a 37-0 1/4 jump. In the high jump, Hillary Hyland tied for third with a height of 5-5.
Freshman Tori Gaumer finished second in the pole vault with a height of 10-2. Alia Hoyle turned in a third-place finish in the 150-meter dash with a time of 18.94
The Redbirds will return to action in the Twin Cities next Saturday, competing in the I.W.U. Invitational.
