Jen Klostermann broke the meet and Illinois State record in the 3,000 meter steeplechase with a time of 11:08.54 to lead the Redbirds at the Missouri Relays in Columbia, Mo. It was the first outdoor meet that the Birds have competed in this season.
Jen just had an incredible performance today, said Illinois State head track and field coach Jeff Pigg. She has worked so hard over the last year and it is nice to see the huge improvements she has made since the conference championships last season. She definitely deserves this record at a meet that has seen some quality competition in its time.
Steve Cotman also had some impressive performances on the day finishing second in both the 200 meter dash and the 400 meter dash and also helped lead the Birds 4x400 meter relay team to a first place finish with a time of 3:19.57.
Kevin Bailey won the mens 3,000 meter steeplechase as well for Illinois State with a personal-best time of 9:24.35.
The womens jumpers had a nice finish in the triple jump claiming three of the top four spots with Nicole Blow finishing first with a mark of 38-6. Monique Haan and Melanie Zimmerman claimed second and fourth place respectively with marks of 37-7 3/4 and 37-4.
Other notable performances for the Redbirds included: a second place finish by Elizabeth Chukwudebe in the finals of the shot put with a mark of 47-3, a third place finish by Gergely Bata in the mens high jump with a leap of 6-9 3/4, a third place finish in the finals of the womens 100 meter dash by Alia Hoyle with a time of 12.12.
Also, Quincy Washington finished the finals of the 100 meter dash in second place with a time of 10.83, while Walter Ogola and Ander Ejbye-Ernst claimed the second and third spots in the 5,000 meter run with times of 15:13.51 and 15:16.48 respectively. In addition, Andrea Black (2:15.62) and Miklos Konkoly (1:52.27) finished in second place in the womens and mens 800 meter run for the Birds.
It was really nice to make a return trip to Missouri where I spent 10 years of my coaching career, said Pigg. However, it was really nice to represent Illinois State and listen to all my old co-workers tell how classy and talented our athletes were. It was just a great day and one of the best track meets I have been a part of.
The Redbirds continue their outdoor season next Saturday, April 13, at Southern Illinois-Edwardsville.
