Dec. 13, 2006
NORMAL, Ill. -
The Illinois State men's and women's track and field teams began their 2006-07 season with outstanding individual performances at last weekend's Redbird Open, as three Redbirds were named Missouri Valley Conference Athletes of the Week by the league office Tuesday evening. Junior Devon Williams, junior Jeremy Johnson and junior Alex Straughn all took home victories at the event hosted by the Redbirds Saturday at Horton Field House.
Williams was named female track athlete of the week after claiming victories in both the 60-meter dash (7.54 seconds) and 200-meter dash (24.98) as well as competing as a member of the women's 4x400-meter relay team for the first time in her Redbird career. The Oswego, Ill., native helped the team capture first place (3:55.37), ahead of BIG EAST Conference member Marquette.
Johnson led the men's squad and was named male track athlete of the week. The South Holland, Ill., native finished first in the men's 60-meter dash with a time of 6.89 and posting a first place finish in the 200-meter-meter dash (22.18). Johnson defeated 29 competitors in the 200-meter dash and 25 sprinters in the 60-meter dash.
Straughn won the high jump, posting a score of 6-09.75 feet and was named male field athlete of the week. The St. Philip, Barbados native also finished seventh in the long jump, with a jump of 21-04.25 feet.
The Redbirds will be off for a month during winter break and start up again on January 13, 2007, as they travel to Terre Haute, Ind., to compete in a dual meet against Missouri Valley Conference rival Indiana State. The meet is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. EST
