Stacia Beste defended her Valley title and Walter Ogola claimed second place in the womens and mens 10,000 meter run respectively at the Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships Thursday hosted by Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It was Ogolas first-ever 10,000-meter run.
Beste cruised to a victory in the 10,000-meter run with a time of 37:11.42. Earlier this month, she set a new all-time conference-best time of 34:08.22 at the Cardinal Invitational in Stanford, Calif., that automatically qualified her for the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
I felt good today, but I always like to go into these races with a pessimistic attitude because it motivates me, said Beste. It is a relief to have another (Valley) title, because the competition in the 5,000 (meter run) will be stiffer. I am really focused on the national meet right now, but it is sad to know that this will be my last competition with the team.
Hillary Hyland, a senior competing in the final heptathlon of her collegiate career, finished strong with a career-best point total of 4,660 and a third-place finish.
Hyland came into the final day of multi-event competition in fourth place with 2,874 points and three events (long jump, javelin throw, and the 800 meter run) remaining. She finished second in the long jump with a season-best mark of 17-10 and first in the javelin throw with a 134-6.
Heading into the 800 meter run, Hyland knew she needed points to have a chance at third place. The event was also the one she dreaded the most, because it had been her weakest event this season in heptathlons. She finished last but still earned a season-best time of 2:54.95, which gave her just enough points for third place, three points ahead of UNIs Melissa Nelson with 4,657 points.
I knew that it was going to be my last 800 and I have to credit my teammates for getting me through it, said Hyland, following the race. Without them, I dont think I would have gotten enough points for third place. My coaches, teammates and trainers have all done a great job and helped me improve all season long. I couldnt have accomplished this without them.
When Hillary collapsed as soon as she crossed the finish line, I knew she had given it her all, said Illinois State head track and field coach Jeff Pigg. She knew what she needed to do to get the job done and she did it. She is the type of athlete that not only has the ability, but also the will, to perform at her best and never quit.
Freshman Tori Gaumer also competed in the heptathlon for Illinois State. It was the first time she has competed in the event and she finished in seventh place with 4,209 points. She earned career-bests in the high jump, long jump, 200-meter dash and the 100-meter hurdles, while competing in the shot put for the first time.
Considering the fact that this is Toris first time competing in the heptathlon, I am very pleased with her performance, said Pigg. We are in the process of preparing her for the future and this is a great start.
Senior Robert Breit claimed fifth place in the mens 10,000 meter run for the Birds with a time of 32:02.50. Freshman Elizabeth Callham finished in ninth place for Illinois State also in the 10,000 meter run with a time of 40:39.87.
In the pre-championship poll, determined by Valley coaches prior to the meet, both the Illinois State men and womens teams were picked to finish fourth at the Conference Outdoor Championships. Northern Iowa was predicted to win the mens competition, while Southwest Missouri State was selected to win on the womens side.
The meet continues Friday, May 17, with the mens hammer throw at 10 a.m., while running events begin at 2 p.m. with the mens 3,000-meter steeplechase.
