March 14, 2006
NORMAL, Ill. -
Practicing in the warm weather for the last few days, the Illinois State track and field team traveled to Tuscaloosa, Ala., over the weekend in preparation for the first outdoor competition of the season. The `Birds will open their outdoor track schedule on Thursday, March 16 with the Alabama Relays at the Sam Bailey Track and Field Stadium.
Head track and field coach Elvis Forde has been impressed by his squad and the transition his team has made from the indoor season to outdoors.
"While we've been down here in Alabama we've had some very good practices," said Forde. "I was, however, surprised by how easily we've transitioned from indoor to outdoor. Because of the warm weather and humidity we're practicing in short sessions, but I like what I've seen so far."
Frannie Epps, Brittney Hourd and Lauren Maul will be the first athletes to compete for the `Birds in the heptathlon on the first day of competition. Epps and Hourd both competed indoors in the heptathlon; however Maul has only outdoor eligibility and will compete for the first time in a Redbird uniform this season.
On Thursday the heptathletes will compete in the 100-meter hurdles, high jump, shot put and the 200-meters. The event will conclude Friday afternoon with the long jump, triple jump and the 800-meter run.
The remainder of the Redbird track and field squad will begin competing Saturday morning with events beginning at 8:00 a.m.
Saturday's competition is dedicated to individual events, while Sunday's competition features relays and a few field events.
"We're just going to focus on individual events this weekend," said Forde. "The majority of the team will travel home Saturday night after the individual events, while a couple of the field event competitors will stay to compete Sunday. It makes it difficult to compete in the relays on Sunday, travel home and be prepared for classes Monday morning."
Brian Krantz who only has outdoor eligibility this year will be back in action this weekend for the `Birds competing in the field events. Derek Sargent and Darren Price will also suit up for ISU and compete in the javelin. On the women's side, besides Maul, Laura Kennedy will add depth to the women's distance squad.
"Everyone seems to be responding very well to the warm weather," said Forde. "We're healthy right now. Hopefully we can put together a good meet this weekend and continue to do so the rest of the season. It's also going to make a big difference for both squads adding two more athletes to the women's squad and three to the men's team."
