April 11, 2009
MESA/TEMPE, Ariz. -
Mesa Classic Results
Illinois State track and field freshmen Leigh Petranoff and Tori Ziegler hit their first NCAA Regional qualifying performances from Arizona Friday evening. Petranoff launched the javelin 144 feet, 4 inches and Zigler threw a distance of 47-7 at the Mesa Classic from Mesa, Ariz.
Ziegler hit her first regional qualifying performance to take second in the competitive shot put field. Illinois State assistant track and field coach Jeff Chakouian was happy with how Ziegler battled.
"Tori faced some really good competition today, competition that I am sure she will face again tomorrow," said Chakouian. "She had a couple good fouls and really went after it today. She was in there battling and represented Illinois State well."
In the javelin Petranoff surpassed the regional qualifying mark by about two inches to take second in the event.
"Leigh really struggled today she wasn't in it in the warm up and really had to fight," said Chakouian. "She finally hit her big throw on her final attempt and found that one throw that she needed. If she can catapult on that and keep building it could be the first step to becoming an elite thrower."
Freshman Alia McAfee earned a second-place finish in the women's 200-meter dash turning in a time of 25.91 at the Mesa Classic.
Senior Samantha Springer competed in the women's hammer throw at the Sun Angel Classic in Tempe, Ariz., where she launched a distance of 164-10 to take 14th place. In the men's hammer junior Jason Robbs placed 19th with throw of 177-8.
Robbs rounded out the evening with a season-best in the hammer launching a distance of 181-7 to place second at the Mesa Classic.
The Redbirds will continue competition from Arizona State Saturday. The Sun Angel Classic will get underway from Tempe, Ariz., at 10 a.m. with the women's discus, and the women's 100-meter hurdles are scheduled to start the track events at 3 p.m.
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