The Illinois State track and field teams progression towards a Missouri Valley Conference championship took a big step forward on Saturday at the Gatorade Classic.
Overall, the women finished third with 99.5 points, while the men were seventh with 59 points. But, both teams came away with stellar performances in several events and head coach Elvis Forde couldnt be happier with the improvement that everyone has shown week in and week out.
Were getting better every weekend, Forde said. The kids continue to work hard in practice and Im really happy with the way things are coming around.
The women again performed at a high level, especially the 4 x 400 relay team of Andrea Mosher, Lian Lucas, Lindsey Arnold and Cherise Devers. The team placed second with a time of 3:45.66, just two seconds shy of the regional qualifying time.
The relay team ran an excellent race, Forde said. Theres absolutely no doubt in my mind that they will get that qualifying time within the next couple of weeks.
Lucas also ran well in the sprints, placing third in both the 100 (11.93) and the 200 (24.43), while Mosher was first in the 400 hurdles (1:00.29) and second in the 100 hurdles (14.46). In the 800, Jen Klostermann placed second with a time of 2:13.30, while in the 400, Arnold finished fourth with a time of 57.23. Betsy McDonald placed fourth in the 1,500 with a time of 4:38.60. In the jumping events, Mary Risius was second in the high jump (5-5), while Brittney Hourd won the long jump with a mark of 18-7 3/4. Latisha Johnson was third in the shot put with a mark of 49-5.
On the mens side, Forde was again pleased with several of the performances. Jeremy Doherty and Dan Tripp were absent from the Gatorade Classic. Forde sent them to the Texas Relays on Friday where Doherty placed second in the 1,500 with a time of 3:48.98, while Tripp was seventh with a time of 3:49.87.
Dan and Jeremy are running well this year and the Texas Relays were a chance for them to get some national exposure and to compete at a major event, Forde said.
Back in Cape Girardeau, Camari Brown finished third in the 100 with a time of 10.73, while Miklos Konkoly was champion in the 1,500 with a time of 3:58.18. Tyler Gaumer also won his event, placing first in the pole vault with a height of 14-6. Pierre Woods was third in the 400 hurdles with a time of 52.80, while Rhett Hillard was third in the shot put with a mark of 54-3 3/4. Hillard also placed third in the hammer with a distance of 169-2, while Mark Jackson finished fifth with a throw of 163-0.
Mark and Rhett are really starting to find their niche, Forde said. Overall, Im pleased with the performances. We need to continue making strides and improve every week.
The Redbirds continue their season next Saturday at Western Illinois for the Lee Calhoun Memorial.
