Dec. 8, 2007
Results
NORMAL, Ill. -
The Illinois State men's and women's track and field teams got their respective indoor track and field seasons started Saturday with a combined 10 first-place finishes at the Redbird Open inside Horton Filed House.
Illinois State head track and field coach Elvis Forde was pleased with both the men's and women's teams' performances and feels that both squads have much to be excited about.
"I am proud of our team's performance today," said Forde. "We have had great camaraderie all year long, and I think that the level of competitiveness has risen (throughout the fall). The freshmen that we brought in have made our returnees raise their level of performance."
The Redbird women had strong performances from a variety of individuals. Sophomore transfer Megan Thompson placed first in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.99 seconds, and senior Frannie Epps came in second in the hurdles after she crossed the finish line in 9.06. Senior Devon Williams, who competed as a unattached entry, claimed victories in the 60-meter dash (7.52) and the 200-meter dash (25.10).
Senior Anna Lovell captured her first win of the season in the 400-meter dash, as she crossed the finish line in 58.10. The women's 4x400-meter relay team of Meaka Brents, Tia Harvey, Thompson and Lovell ran a 4:02.67 to earn a first place finish in the event.
In the high jump, Caitlin Roberts reached a personal record with a jump of 5-06.00 feet to finish third. The Redbird throwers also had a strong day, as junior Samantha Springer threw the weight 52-10 and freshman Sonja Zoric threw for 51-11.75 in the weight throw.
The ISU men's team was led by senior Jeremy Johnson, who had two first-place finishes. The South Holland, Ill., native crossed the finish line in 6.90 in the 60-meter dash and posted a time of 22.44 in the 200-meter dash. Also posting a first-place finish for the sprinters was DeAndre Tillman, who finished in 20:50 in the 400-meter dash. The men's 4x400 meter relay of Anthony Jacks, Carl Azab, Dan Murphy and Tillman posted a first-place time of 3:23.35.
Senior Alex Straughn led the Redbird high jumpers with a first-place finish (6-07.75). Straughn was followed by teammates TJ Fakihinde (6-07.75), Drew Holl (6-04.75) and Robert Kamentsev (6-04.00). In the long jump, sophomore Samuel Watts took the win with a leap of 23-09.50.
The weight throw saw much improvement as all six men from ISU who competed in the event achieved personal-best throws. Senior Anton Walczak led the weight throw with a distance of 55-08.25 ft., good enough for a second-place finish. While senior Bryan Chancellor threw for a third-place finish in the men's weight with a throw of 55-07.00 ft.
Forde was impressed with the men's team, but realized that the indoor track and field season is still young and ISU has room to improve.
"In the jumps and sprints, Samuel Watts gave a strong performance to start the year and showed his potential," said Forde. "Alex Straughn and Drew Holl have a lot of room for improvement, but they both had a strong performance (Saturday) in the high jump. I was most impressed with our younger runners that competed in the 4x400 (Saturday)."
"We have some growing to do, and I hope that our team's expectations remain high and that the athletes maintain their level of performance over the break."
Both the Illinois State men's and women's indoor track and field teams will be back in action Saturday, Jan, 12, 2008, inside Horton Field House, as the Redbirds play host to Indiana State in a dual meet.
