April 28, 2007
Results
NORMAL, Ill. -
Senior Jeremy Doherty and junior Anton Walczak each surpassed the NCAA Regional qualifying standard in their respective events, leading the Illinois State track and field team in competition on Saturday. Doherty finished the 1,500-meter run in 3:47.13 at the Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa, while Walczak threw a personal-best distance of 191-07 feet in the hammer throw at the Redbird Invitational in Normal, Ill.
Doherty finished the race at Drake Stadium in third place, his third consecutive top-five finish in the event. Walczak shattered his previous personal-best by over 20 feet, ending the competition in first at Redbird Outdoor Track.
Head coach Elvis Forde was pleased with the performances from the `Birds, knowing that continued improvement is needed In order to be competitive at the upcoming State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Championships (May 11-13).
"I'm hoping that this is a good indication of what we will accomplish at the conference championships in two weeks," said Forde. "If all of our kids keep getting better every week, I think it is a positive sign as we prepare for the conference meet. We need these individuals to come through when we are at the championships, but it is critical that we stay healthy."
The Redbirds also had five other members reach personal-bests competing on their home turf. Freshman Nick Ragusa cleared a height of 15-03.00 feet in the high jump, winning the event and breaking his old record by three inches. Sophomore Kristin Brinkman also set a personal-best in the pole vault, clearing a height of 10-10.00 feet and placing fifth.
In the men's shot put, junior Joe Painter threw a distance of 51-05.00 ft, establishing a new personal-mark. However, his mentor, Redbird assistant coach Jeff Chakouian, won the event as an unattached entry with a throw of 64-01.75 ft. Also competing as an unattached entry, freshman Ben Bishop recorded a new personal-best mark in the hammer throw with a toss of 153-09 ft.
Junior Suzy Turner had a strong performance for the women's team, finishing in first place in the 5,000-meter run and clocking in at 18:13.93. Freshman Tiffany Harris also recorded a first place finish, winning the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 15.85 seconds.
Sophomore Samantha Springer finished in first place in two events, claiming victory in the discus throw (144-06 ft.) and hammer throw (172-06 ft.).
Another strong performance for the men's team came from freshman Rob Barkulis, who finished in second in the 1,500-meter run and clocked in at 4:00.29. Sophomore Carl Azab placed first in the 400-meter hurdles, crossing the finish line in 54.72 and setting a new personal-best.
Reigning MVC Male Field Co-Athlete of the Week Alex Straughn won a share of the high jump, clearing a height of 6-06.75 ft. Straughn's teammate, senior TJ Fakehinde, also took a share of the top spot by also clearing 6-06.75 ft. Straughn also won the triple jump with a distance of 49-00.75 ft.
Other Redbirds in competition at the Drake Relays included sophomore Mike Richardson, who placed 16th in the 3,000-meter steeplechase (9:28.68). The women's 1,600 sprint medley finished in 20th, clocking in at 4:09.00. The men's sprint medley placed 14th, crossing the finish line in 3:25.39.
The Redbirds will travel to Bloomington, Ind., for the Bill Hayes Invitational beginning Friday, May 4. For complete results from the Redbird Invitational, please visit GoRedbirds.com. For results from the Drake Relays, visit drakerelays.com.
