April 27, 2007
DES MOINES, Iowa -
Junior Devon Williams set a new season-best in the 100-meter dash, leading the Illinois State track and field team's effort during Friday's events at the 98th Annual Drake Relays. Williams, who has been battling injuries the past two weeks, clocked in at 11.97 seconds and finished in 12th place in Des Moines, Iowa.
Senior Lyn Cox also set a season-best in the 100-meters, crossing the finish line in 12.01 and in 18th. While Williams and Cox set season-bests in the preliminary race, none of the Redbirds in competition Friday were able to advance in their respective prelims.
Assistant coach Jeff Bovee felt the Williams and Cox both ran good races, though Williams has been battling injuries for most of the outdoor season.
"I think that Devon had a good race, even though she is still coming back," said Bovee. "She is coming back slowly, while trying to work her way back to things. She is still not 100 percent, but was still able to turn in a good performance. Lyn also had a solid effort, turning in a season-best time."
The women's 4x200-meter relay team recorded the highest finish among the men's and women's sprinters, as Williams and juniors Anna Lovell, Melissa Clarke and Kyndra Curtin finished in sixth place. The group clocked in at 1:39.20, running in the race for the first time this season.
Lovell, Curtin, Clarke and Cox ran in the 4x100-meter relay, finishing in a time of 47.15 seconds and in 13th. Lovell, sophomore Kim Smudde, Cox and sophomore Brianna Officer were the women's entry in the 4x400-meter relay, clocking in at a season-best 3:45.46 and in 20th place.
The men's team recorded their best finish in the 4x200-meter relay, as junior Kelley Anderson, sophomore Luke Heinrichs, junior DeAndre Tillman and sophomore Maxwell Mkwezalamba placed eighth, clocking in at 1:26.68. In the 4x100-meter relay, Heinrichs, Mkwezalamba, Tillman and Anderson ended the race in 11th. The group crossed the finish line in 41.51 seconds.
Tillman and Mkwezalamba were joined by junior Geoff Houtman and freshman Justin Caldwell in the men's 4x400-meter relay, finishing in a season-best 3:10.69 and in 13th place.
"Looking at the men, I think that the 4x400 was one of our better teams," said Bovee. "Maxwell and Geoff had real good laps and it was a good positive step. We are still looking to find the right four guys to race, but I think today's group ran well."
The Drake Relays concludes on Saturday, with the distance runners and sprint medley relay teams being the only Redbirds left in competition. The majority of the ISU track and field team will be at home, participating at the Redbird Invitational, beginning at 9 a.m.
For complete results from Friday's action, please visit drakerelays.com
