April 19, 2008
Long Beach Invitational Results 
Results
NORWALK, Calif./NASHVILLE, Tenn. -
Illinois State freshman Drew Holl won the high jump clearing an outdoor personal-best 6-06.75 feet to highlight the Redbirds performances and conclude the Vanderbilt Invitational from Nashville, Tenn., while senior Devon Williams clocked season-bests in the 100-meter (11.97) and 200-meter dashes (24.18) to place sixth and third, respectively at the Long Beach Invitational held at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif.
Facing inclement weather in Nashville, Tenn., ISU head coach Elvis Forde was happy with Holls performance in the high jump.
"Drew faced some tough competition and difficult conditions during the high jump," said Ford. "The weather certainly made jumping more of a challenge because it was slippery so this was a good win for Drew."
Other performances from Vanderbilt Invitational include senior Nick Chumbley's efforts in the discus, as he threw a personal-best 157-01 to place third. Freshman Nick Geyer earned a personal-best time of 1:54.26 in the 800-meter dash for an 11th place-finish. Junior Carl Azab cut time off his previous performance this season in the 400-meter hurdles to place seventh with a time of 54.88.
"Nick had a great day," said Forde. "Even though the meet was delayed and he was the last event he was still able to have a great performance. It is a testament to all of his efforts and hard work all year."
The Redbird women's performances were backed by junior Megan Thompson, senior Melissa Clarke and freshman Michelle Brunk. Thompson achieved a personal-best in the hurdles, clocking in with a time of 14.14 sec., to place fifth. Clarke ran a personal-best 57.02 sec. in the 400-meter dash (ninth place) and Brunk took almost two seconds off her previous time in the 800-meter run, as she recorded a time of 2:14.00 to place 11th.
Competing at the Long Beach Invitational with Williams, senior Anton Walczak had another opportunity to throw the hammer this weekend. Walczak who had just thrown the hammer yesterday at the Mt.SAC Relays threw again and launched a distance of 177-1, but did not make the finals.
Illinois State assistant coach/throws Jeff Chakouian was satisfied with the days' performances and knows that the student-athletes are on the right track.
"We always want to leave every meet with a good experience and even though the distances may not have been what we would have wanted our experience here in California will help us grow as athletes and competitors. We are not disappointed in anyone's efforts today.
"Anton faced tough competition and he went out and competed well. The event didn't go as well as we wanted it to go, but he has the correct technique and we are still on pace to do well at the conference meet."
Illinois State will be back in action tomorrow at Mt. SAC Relays, in Walnut, Calif. Williams and Anna Lovell will be competing for the Redbirds in the 100-and 400-meter dashes, respectively.
