The Illinois State track and field team qualified another individual for the NCAA Regional meet during the Billy Hayes Invitational on the campus of Indiana University Saturday.
Thrower Mark Jackson will compete in Baton Rouge, La., next month after throwing a distance of 184-6 in the hammer, finishing tenth overall. Teammate Rhett Hillard was 15th in the hammer (174-2). Assistant coach for throws Brent Chumbley feels that Jackson is peaking at just the right time.
Mark has done a fabulous job this season of staying the course, Chumbley said. He gives 100 percent every day and he has faith in what he is doing. Hes the classic hard working kid.
Both Jackson and Hillard also competed in the shot put. Hillard placed fourth with a throw of 58-2, while Jackson was ninth at 53-4 1/4. JaRod Tobler, competing in only his second outdoor event this season, placed seventh in the long jump (22-10 1/2) and 16th in the 100-meter dash (11.02).
On the womens side, Abby Heinhold placed tenth in the 400-meter dash with a time of 57.74, while Lian Lucas was fifth in the 100 with a time of 12.02.
The Birds next meet will be for the Missouri Valley Conference title when Illinois State hosts the MVC Outdoor Track and Field Championships May 12-15. This will be the second home meet of the season for the Redbirds and Chumbley feels the team is ready to defend their track.
The team competed well during our last home meet and I think everyone is confident that those performances will carry over to the conference meet, Chumbley said. Were looking forward to running a first class conference championship.
