Senior co-captain Christian Goy clocked the fastest 3,000-meter run in the nation for the 2001-02 indoor track season with a NCAA provisionally qualifying time of 8:02.46 at the Wisconsin Elite Invitational in Madison, Wis. It was the second best time for the indoor 3,000-meter run in Illinois State history.
Christian was just trying to go out there and compete, said Illinois State head track and field coach Jeff Pigg. The field of runners in the 3,000 was loaded with talent and for Christian and Rob (Breit) to go out there and run as well as they did, it tells you something about their ability.
Breit, a senior that competed in the NCAA Cross Country Championships in the fall of 2001, claimed a fourth place finish in the 3,000 meter run with a time of 8:19.
Some other highlights on the mens side included a first place finish for sophomore JaRod Tobler in the long jump with a mark of 24-1 (7.34 m), a first place finish for senior co-captain Alfie Gordillo in the 35-lb. weight throw with a NCAA provisionally qualifying mark of 64-1 (19.53 m) and freshman Gabe Cruz had an outstanding performance in the 800 meters with a time of 1:53.62 for second place.
For the Redbird women, freshman Angie Drew finished second in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 9.17 behind unattached runner Katrine Nielsen, a former ISU All-American. Junior Alia Hoyle won the 60-meter dash with a time of 7.77, while senior Keri Davis won in the 400 meters with a time of 59.38.
Freshman Laura Kennedy had an impressive performance collecting a win in the 3,000-meter run with a time of 10:16.82. It was the best time in the event for the Illinois State women this season. Senior Nicole Blow earned a season-high mark in the triple jump with 38-4 (11.68 m), which was good for a second place finish.
The team had a great meet today, said Pigg. We lined up and did a great job in nearly every event. The kids have been working hard over the last couple of weeks and sometimes after working so hard a team can come into a meet looking tired, but I thought our team looked impressive today.
The men competed against Illinois and Wisconsin in their meet, while the Illinois State women only competed against Wisconsin. Oregon did not compete as originally scheduled.
The Redbirds return home to host the Redbird All-Comers meet on Saturday, February 2.
