May 12, 2009
TF: Video Interview with Samantha Springer
ST. LOUIS -
In the week leading up to the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Track and Field Championships (May 15-17), Illinois State's Samantha Springer and Blake Brooks were honored as the Valley Athletes of the Week for their performances at the Billy Hayes Invitational last Friday, as announced by the league office Tuesday.
Springer hit her fourth NCAA Regional qualifying mark and won the discus throw by almost 10 feet at the Billy Hayes Invitational at the Robert C. Haugh Complex Friday evening. Springer's toss of 167 feet, in no wind, improves her to No. 2 all-time at Illinois State in the discus.
The mark is the second-best throw in the Valley and also ranks 12th in the Mideast Region and among the top-30 in the nation. The senior thrower also competed in the hammer throw (169-4) and in the shot put (44-9.5) and took sixth and seventh, respectively, in each event in Bloomington, Ind.
"Sam has had a wonderful outdoor season in all her throwing events," said head coach Elvis Forde. "Then in the weekend before conference she was able to top off the regular season with a personal-best in the discus, which was a huge testament to how she has performed all season."
Brooks, a freshman distance runner, took fourth in the 1,500-meter run at the Billy Hayes Invitational. The native of Peoria, Ill., recorded a personal-best time of 3:54.01, an effort that places him fifth on the Valley's best list.
"Blake has been improving all year long and has been working very hard to be one of the best in the 1,500-meters," said Forde. "We would like to see Blake finish in the top-three at conference, which is something he is very capable of doing."
The track and field athletes of the week honor are the Redbirds third weekly honor this year.
GoRedbirds.com: Your online source for Illinois State Athletics, tickets, TRC gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
