Jan. 27, 2006
NORMAL, Ill. -
Competing in the pentathlon, Brittney Hourd and Frannie Epps were the first Illinois State track and field athletes to compete in the Wisconsin Elite Invitational in Madison, Wis. tonight. Getting the team started in winning fashion, Hourd claimed first place in the event with Epps taking third.
Hourd won the pentathlon with 3,340 points, while Epps racked up 2,884. Head track and field coach Elvis Forde was very pleased with how the athletes performed and the high scores they put up so early in the season.
"I'm very proud of both Brittney and Frannie," said Forde. "They both have some events that we need to work on and get stronger in, but based on their performances and competing in the pentathlon for the first time this season, they are in good position right now. We'll have to work on some individual events so they'll be in good shape going into the conference championships."
Hourd placed first in the 60-meter hurdles, high jump, shot put, long jump and took second in the 800-meters. Epps placed second in the shot put, third in the 60-meter hurdles and the 800-meter run, fourth in the high jump and fifth in the long jump.
Competition will resume Saturday morning as the Redbird throws squad will begin competing at 11:45 a.m., while the running events are scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m.
Teams competing in the invitational on the men's side are Eastern Illinois, Illinois-Chicago, Minnesota and Wisconsin. For the women, competing teams include Eastern Illinois, Illinois-Chicago and Wisconsin.
