March 27, 2009
Results
CARBONDALE, Ill. -
The Illinois State throwers got the outdoor season started for the Redbird track and field team during the first day of competition at the Southern Illinois Spring Classic at Lew Hartzog Stadium in Carbondale, Ill. Senior Samantha Springer highlighted ISU's performance with a fourth-place finish in the hammer throw launching a distance of 178 feet, 9 inches.
Illinois State throws coach Jeff Chakouian was happy with Springer's first performance of the season.
"Sam was having some mechanical issues, when she worked on one aspect of her technique another thing was throw off," said Chakouian. "She was really close to hitting a big throw; she just has to put it all together. She never gave up though and was in there competing and fighting through all the adjustments. Her technique just wasn't completely crisp. Once she irons out the mechanical issues the ball is going to go further and further."
Springer a Tremont, Ill., native holds a career-best throw of 179-7 in the hammer, which she achieved last year. That mark is No. 2 all-time at Illinois State and was also a NCAA Regional qualifying mark.
Junior transfer Jason Robbs placed sixth in the men's hammer throw with a distance of 157-6.
"Everyone looked off today and it wasn't just us either, all the other teams were struggling too." said Chakouian. It has been a year since they have thrown the hammer so I think that a lot of it was early meet jitters. They were trying to rush the throws and never got into the groove. They just have to learn to be patience."
Full competition gets underway at the SIU Spring Classic Saturday; the field events are scheduled to begin at 11 a.m., followed by the track events at 12:30 p.m.
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