May 28, 2005
NORMAL, Ill. -
The Illinois State track and field team ended its season as they competed in the NCAA Mideast Regional finals today held at Indiana University. Although the Redbirds recorded personal bests in some events it was not enough for any of the Redbirds to receive an automatic berth to the NCAA Track and Field Championships.
Head track and field coach Elvis Forde felt his team did not compete as well as he would have liked but he is not disappointed with the outcome.
"We didn't compete as well as we would have liked this weekend, but we will have to move on from here and get ready for next season," said Forde. "We gained a lot of good experience from the meet and we're not disappointed with the performances. We realized this weekend that it was a difficult competition and a difficult region to compete in. We're looking forward to coming back next year but our performance level will have to be much higher."
Brian Krantz competed in the hammer throw placing ninth in the region with a throw of 202-11. His throw of 202-11 marked a personal best for him this season by over two feet.
Based on Krantz's mark in the hammer throw he could still be a contender in the NCAA Track and Field Championships held in Sacramento, Calif., if he is granted an at-large bid. At-large selections will be determined Sunday, May 29.
Also recording a personal best was Lauren Maul in the triple jump. Although, an event that Maul has not competed in much this season, it proved to be a strong event for her as she placed ninth with a jump of 41-04.50. Her mark in the event places her second on the Redbird All-Time Best List just behind former Redbird and assistant track and field coach LaShawna Mapp.
The 4x100-meter relay team of Anna Lovell, Lian Lucas, Cherise Devers and Lyn Cox missed qualifying for the championships by one place as they finished sixth in the event with a time of 44.95
Andrea Mosher, who was looking forward to getting back to the NCAA Championships in the 400-meter hurdles, was unable to finish the event due to an injury. Her injury prevented the 4x400-meter relay team from competing in the timed final.
Forde realizes the experience his athletes gained from the weekend.
"Our athletes who competed in the Regional this weekend recognized the toughness of the competition," said Forde. "Our freshman and the older athletes found out that getting there is just not enough. We will have to build from the experience and move on to the new season."
