April 11, 2009
Results
MACOMB, Ill. -
The Illinois State men's and women's track and field team combined to win five events at the 20th annual Lee Calhoun Memorial Meet held at Hanson Field in Macomb, Ill., Saturday. The Redbird men took third place scoring 133 points, while the women's team captured fourth (104.5 points).
Eastern Illinois took home both the men's and women's team titles, while host Western Illinois women's team and Iowa's men's team claimed second place.
"We had a beautiful day, the conditions could not have been any better," said Illinois State assistant coach Jeff Bovee. "I think that the team had fun and were relaxed. Coach (Tim) Thompson and I really felt like they were just having a good time and wanted to go out and take advantage of a good opportunity here at Western Illinois. They had good energy and there are a lot of good things that we can take away from this weekend. I think that we are going to continue to get better, the momentum is on our side."
On the track senior Kim Smudde won the 800-meter run with a season-best performance turning in a time of 2:15.61.
Sprinters Meaka Brents (25.69), Brianna Officer (25.93), Hanna Query (25.94) and Tia Harvey (26.00) all set season-bests in the 200-meter dash taking fourth through seventh place, respectively. Senior Megan Thompson showed consistency in the 100-meter hurdles crossing the finish line in second-place with a time of 14.93.
"It was good to see Tia Harvey and Meaka Brents back and competing for the first time outdoors," said Bovee. "Their fitness isn't quite there yet, but their form will continue to improve during the coming weeks."
In the track events on the men's side, freshman Kayode Adegoke set personal-best marks in both the 100- and 200-meter dashes. In the 100, Adegoke took fourth with a time of 11.06 and then placed second in the 200 with a time of 21.84.
"Kayode looked outstanding in the 200, it was his all-time best and he looked real strong," said Bovee."I think that he is just going to continue to improve and make some nice gains as the weather warms up."
Sophomore Chris Kirtz, got his first chance this season on the track and earned a fifth-place finish in the 200 turning in a time of 22.21. He also earned a personal-best mark in the long jump launching a distance of 23-3.5 to win the event.
Junior Anthony Jacks, who competed for the first time this year, took second in the 400-meter dash turning in a time of 49.47.
Sophomore Nick Geyer turned a strong double, taking fifth in the 1,500-meter run with a personal-best time of 3:58.56 and then finished second in the 800 with a time of 1:55.19. Sophomore Matt Mroczynski placed fourth in the 1,500-meter run with a season-best time of 3:56.61.
Sophomore John Navarro claimed his first win of the season in the 5,000-meter. Navarro covered the 13 lap event in a time of 15:28.98.
In the field, sophomore Lita Wynne won the women's long jump launching a season-best 18-1.75. Wynne also took fourth in the triple jump with a distance of 36-1.5.
"I think that we did really well today," said Illinois State assistant coach Tim Thompson. "I think that the kids really came out to compete today and better their marks. I think that across the board everyone is getting better, I think that our long jumpers are really starting to get off the board and getting more consistent on their attempts."
On the men's side, junior Nick Ragusa cleared 15-1 in the pole vault to take first place. In the men's triple jump freshman Tyler Knight launched a personal-best 45-9.75 earning a second place-finish.
Freshman Chris McIntyre placed second in the shot put with a personal-best throw of 50-7.25.
The Redbirds are still in action competing at the Sun Angel Classic in Tempe, Ariz., complete results will be available following the completion of the meet Saturday evening.
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