Feb. 15, 2008
Results
AMES, Iowa. -
Illinois State senior Suzy Turner, junior Brianna Officer and freshmen Michelle Brunk and Jenny Kraakevik proved to be the perfect combination in the distance medley relay. The team placed fifth with a school record time of 11 minutes, 45.27 seconds, to highlight the track and field performances in the first day of competition at the Iowa State Classic inside the Lied Recreation Facility Friday.
Illinois State head track and field coach Elvis Forde was please with the women's efforts.
"We are competing against a high level of competition and the women's distance medley relay stepped up and proved themselves today," said Forde. Michelle Brunk ran the first leg of the race and really set the tone for the rest of the squad. Every time our athletes compete we just ask them to give us their best effort and they did that today. It is great that they could set the school record. "
In the women's individual events, senior Devon Williams led the ISU women's performances in the 200-meter dash crossing the finish line in 24.49 seconds to place 10th overall. Seniors Melissa Clarke (24th) had a personal-best time of 25.11 sec. in the 200 and Kyndra Curtin (46th) had season-best finish of 25.33 sec.
The Redbird men's performances were highlighted by freshmen Nick Geyer, Dan Murphy and Yosef Tewolde and sophomore Rob Barkulis season-best distance medley relay (DMR) finish. The DMR squad placed fifth with a time of 10:08.43. Senior DeAndre Tillman ran a season-best in the 200-meter dash crossing the finish line in 22.36 placing 47th overall. Senior Bryan Chancellor recorded a weight throw of 56-05.25 to place 22nd.
Competition will continue, Saturday at 9:25 a.m., with the women's 3,000-meter run. The Iowa State Classic will conclude after the running of the 4x400-meter relay at 7:15 p.m.
