Normal, Ill. – A season's worth of work and preparation on the track and in the field has led to the 2015 Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championship, which Illinois State will host on its home track this weekend May 15-17.
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The MVC released the pre-championship poll and both the Redbird men's and women's teams were selected fifth. On the men's side, the Redbirds were picked fifth with 30 points. Wichita State was selected first, after earning seven first-place votes. Indiana State was the only other team to earn a first-place vote with one. Â The women were selected fifth as well with 39 points, as Indiana State garnered six first-place votes as the favorite to win the championship, while Wichita State was selected second.
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The season has been filled with personal-best and national-caliber performances by the Redbirds, and Director of Track & Field/Cross Country Jeff Bovee expects some more strong performances from his student-athletes this weekend.
"The last time we ran at our track two weeks ago, we had our best all-around performance of the season so we hope that translates well to hosting this weekend," Bovee said. Â "I believe that complete effort will come through again this weekend and shine for us. Â As good as the Valley is, you have to rely heavily on your difference makers, and we expect ours to carry a big load. Â It's going to come down to us getting some key performances from some of our younger student-athletes to chip away at some of the middle to back-end spots to lift us up."Â
Men's Field
Senior pole vaulter Chase Pavelonis leads the way for the Redbirds and currently sits atop the MVC best list headed into the championship with a career-best and ISU record mark of 17-01.00. Â Pavelonis was the indoor champion as well in the event with a 17-03.75 and looks to attain the season sweep in the event. Â Kyle Lombardino is ranked No. 4 in the discus with a toss of 167-01 and has hopes to crack the top three on his home turf and Kevin Fisch and Bastian Hauk-Jegen both sit in the Top 10 in the javelin with a great chance to score points for the Redbirds. Â Fisch is also in the Top 5 in the decathlon heading in, just 19 points out of first place, and Logan Zeman is No. 4 in the high jump with a jump of 6-08.25.
Women's Field
Senior thrower Jianna Williams heads into the championship ranked second in the conference in both the shot put (55-09.00) and the hammer throw (205-04) behind Southern Illinois' Raven Saunders and DeAnna Price, respectively. Â Those marks also rank her among the nation's best in a tie for No. 10 in the shot put and at No. 17 in the hammer. Â She earned All-MVC honors in both events indoors as well and looks to score some crucial points for her squad this weekend. Â Morgan Keller ranks No. 5 in the discus (161-01) as well, giving the Redbirds a great chance for big points in the throws.Â
Men's Track
Senior Anderson Devonish could end his career with a bang this weekend, as he heads into the championship set for several strong performances. Â He ranks No. 1 on the MVC best list in the 400 meters with a time of 46.46 and is No. 2 in the 200 meters with a time of 20.72. Â He is also a key part of the men's 4x400-meter relay team that has the top time in the Valley at 3:08.87. Â Javar Cruz heads into the 400 hurdles competition in the No. 5 spot (52.95) and JD LaFayette ranks in the Top 10 in both the 800 meters and 1500 meters
Women's Track
Senior Kim Christensen heads into the championship in the No. 4 spot in both the 1500 meters (4:30.45) and the 10,000 meters (36:04.69), looking to crack the top-three spots and earn All-Valley honors for the final time in her career at ISU. Â Katelyn Hill ranks in the Top 10 in the 100-meter hurdles (13.95) and the 200-meter dash (24.34) and both women's relay teams are in the Top 5 in the conference.Â
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