Illinois States 4x100-meter relay team of Anna Lovell, Lian Lucas, Cherise Devers and Lyn Cox capped off a stellar season at the 2005 NCAA Track and Field Championships held in Sacramento, Calif. The Missouri Valley Conference 4x100-meter relay champions finished 18th overall in the nation at the national championships.
According to head track and field coach Elvis Forde, the relay team didnt compete as well as he would have liked, but feels that the girls have gained some great experience from competing in the championships and hopes it will carry over into next season.
We had a bit of a lay off in the past week from the regional to the championships and with kids in summer school, so we didnt really compete as well as we would have liked, said Forde. Its been a long year and this was a great learning experience. Hopefully we will be able to carry this experience into next year and this group of girls will be able to use this to lead the team next season.
The Redbirds finished fourth in their heat, with a time of 45.18, placing them 18th overall. This was the first time that Lovell, Lucas, Devers, or Cox has competed at the national level.
Lauren Maul, who will compete in the triple jump Friday, June 10 at 7:30 p.m., is looking to break the school the record in the event. The record currently stands at 41-6 1/2, while Mauls best jump this season is 41-4 1/2, which she recorded at the Mideast Regional. Current record holder is assistant track and field coach LaShawna Mapp.
Maul received an at-large bid to the championships as she placed seventh in the Mideast Regional.
Lauren is in a different situation than the other girls because she is competing in an individual event, said Forde. Im hoping that Lauren will go out and compete well. Our goal for her is to break the school record this weekend.
