Dec. 10, 2005
Complete Results
NORMAL, Ill. -
A number of strong performances by the Illinois State track and field team was reason enough to impress head coach Elvis Forde after the first indoor competition of the season held at Horton Field House.
"I thought the kids competed well for it being the first time this year," said Forde. "Today wasn't necessarily important in terms of times, but I was pleased with the good effort they gave. Looking at the times it is nice to see that some of them were better than they were this time last year."
On the women's side Andrea Mosher clocked in at 56.26 in the 400-meter dash to take second place in the event. Fellow teammate Lian Lucas, who has moved up to the 400-meters this season, placed third in 58.05. Forde was pleased with the performances of Mosher and Lucas as they had to come back quickly and compete in the 4x400-meter relay.
"Andrea (Mosher) had a solid race in the 400-meters and came back strong in the 4x400-meter relay," said Forde. "I was also pleased with the way Lian (Lucas) came back and competed well in the relay."
Betsy McDonald and Kathleen Thompson carried their success from the cross country course to the track as they took first and third places in the mile as did Kimberli Smudde who won the 800-meters in 2:16.47.
Other notable performances on the women's team included Devon Williams and Anna Lovell in the 60-meter dash. The two took second and third place respectively while also running personal bests in the event.
"Devon had a solid run in the 60-meter dash," said Forde. "I'm excited about her performance and to see what she can do the rest of the year."
On the men's side Forde was pleasantly surprised by the results of the men's sprints. Newcomer Jeremy Johnson took the 60-meter dash in 6.94. Kelly Anderson also qualified for the finals placing fourth in 7.01. Johnson also came back in the 200-meters grabbing another first place finish in 21.90.
The men's 3000-meter run was stacked with Illinois State runners as Jeremy Doherty (first place), Mike Richardson (second place) and Brian Glaza (fourth place) took three of the top five spots. Other outstanding performances in the men's distance events include Dan Tripp's first place finish in the mile and Bronco Meeks in the 800-meters.
Mark Jackson added to the list of first place finishes for the Redbirds as he won the weight throw with a toss of 63-09 and the shot put in 53-04.50.
Wrapping up the meet with the 4x400-meter relay, Illinois State's women's team (Cherise Devers, Lucas, Brianna Officer and Mosher) took first place honors on a come from behind win to take the event in 3:47. 43. The men's relay team consisting of Geoff Houtman, Joe Marcin, Meeks and DeAndre Tillman finished third in the event in 3:23.73.
Forde was pleased with the results of the meet and hopes his athletes will use this meet to train hard over the winter break and come back prepared to face the rest of the season.
"After today's competition we really have something to be excited about," said Forde. "The kids will have to go home for break and continue working hard and use this meet as a springboard to get the rest of the season underway in January."
The Redbirds will be back in action on Saturday January 14, 2006 as they host a dual meet in Horton Field House against Indiana State.
