April 3, 2009
Results
CHARLESTON, Ill. -
Achieving her highest point total in the multi-events, Illinois State track and field junior Morgan Schaefer tallied 4,604 points to win the heptathlon during the Neil Moore Multi's portion of the Eastern Illinois Big Blue Classic track and field meet held at O'Brien Field Friday. The Redbirds rounded out the first day of competition with six first-place finishes and a NCAA Regional qualifier.
The two day multi-event competition that includes seven track and field events began Thursday. Schaefer completed the first day of competition in first place hitting personal-best marks in the 100-meter hurdles (15.74), high jump (5-7.75) and 200-meter dash (27.07). In the shot put, Schaefer placed fifth with a distance of 30-10.5.
Entering day two with 2,822 points the Rolling Meadows, Ill., native, completed the final three events riding a 280 point lead over Dana Sander from Indiana State in the field of 11. Schaefer ran away with the win capturing second-place finishes in the long jump (16-5.75), javelin (100-5) and 800-meter run (2:27.12).
"Morgan had an outstanding first day," said Illinois State head coach Elvis Forde."Her mark in the high jump will not only help her in the heptathlon, but will give her one of the Missouri Valley Conference's top marks in the event. Over two days you have to be very consistent and to see her improve was great, she is in a good place for this time of year. I am excited to see what she has done and what else she can do. She has some good things going for her."
For the second-straight weekend senior Samantha Springer hit a NCAA Regional qualifying distance of 179-3 to win the hammer throw. Freshman Leigh Petranoff improved upon her mark in the javelin winning the event with a distance of 136-3.
"Sam has improved from last weekend and we can tell that she has a big throw that will get her hitting distances in the 180 foot range," said Forde.
Other first-place finishers on the women's side include Lita Wynne (17-7) in the long jump and Kim Ebbesen (37:46.13) in the 10,000-meter run.
On the men's side, sophomore Jon Roberts won the 3,000-meter steeplechase turning in a personal-best time of 9:22.12, while sophomore John Navarro placed fourth with a time of 9:40.72.
In the field events, junior Jason Robbs threw the hammer a season-best 178-8 to earn a second-place finish. Sophomore Chris Kirtz tied his season-best mark of 22-9.25 in the long jump to place second.
Walk on freshman Brian Pflederer improved upon his personal-best throw in the javelin, launching a distance of 164-10 to finish third in a field of nine.
Action at the Big Blue Classic continues tomorrow with the women's shot put beginning at 10:30 a.m., and the men's 110-meter hurdles at 11 a.m.
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