RESULTS
CHARLESTON, Ill. – The Illinois State women's track and field team won the John Craft Invitational by a landslide with 204.5 points, while the Eastern Illinois placed second with a total of 162 points. The Illinois State men's team placed second in the team scores with a total of 176 points, while Eastern Illinois placed first with 204 points.
D'Jenne Egharevba had another standout performance in the women's 60-meter dash. She won the preliminary round at a time of 7.69. Then, she went on to win the final round at a time of 7.55, which is just a second off her personal-best (7.54). Ehharevba is undefeated in the 60-meter dash both in the preliminary and final round. Her time of 7.54 that she posted at the Terre Haute Double Dual is tied second in the Missouri Valley with Wichita State's Nikki Larch-Miller.
Amanda McClain had similar success in the 200-meter dash, as she won at a time of 25.21.
Freshman Whitney Ward tallied her first collegiate win in the women's 400-meter dash at a time of 59.12.
ISU had a tremendous showing the in the women's 600-meter dash, as the Redbirds finished in the top- three. Ashleigh Wilson took the lead and placed first with a time of 1:32.88, while Ally Christiani and Rayanne Wright followed pursuit in second and third place at times of 1:34.13 and 1:35.46, respectively. Wilson's time is ranked third on the ISU's top-10 list, while Christiani is ranked sixth.
"Ashleigh (Wilson) was very aggressive today," Director of Track and Field/Cross Country Jeff Bovee said. "She really pushed herself to the end, and I am really proud of the way she finished."
In the women's 800-meter run, Grace Beattie posted a strong effort as she won the event at a time of 2:15.88. This marked her first collegiate win and her time is ranked sixth in the Missouri Valley.
Demetria Anderson had another showcase performance in the women's 60-meter hurdles, as she placed first with a time at 8.61. Anderson is undefeated in this event so far this season. Her time of 8.61 is ranked fourth in the Valley and fourth on ISU's all-time best list.
The women's 4x400-meter relay of Christiani, Egharevba, McClain and Wilson posted a stellar performance, as they won the event and beat the John Craft Invite record with a time of 3:50.85.
ISU placed second in the distance medley relay at a time of 12:23.95 with carries from Phoebe Clowser, Hattie Plumb, Dakota Roman and Beattie. Their time is currently leading the Missouri Valley Conference.
In the field, the Redbirds had strong effort in the women's high jump. Olivia Rossman and Tessa Holland tied for first place, as they both cleared at 1.63m (5-04.25), and Haley Becker followed in third as she cleared a mark at 1.58m (5-02.25).
Freshman Charde Golliday had a spectacular day as she won the women's long jump at a mark of 5.83m (19-01.50). Her mark is ranked second in the Valley right behind her fellow teammate McClain (19-04.75), and ranked seventh on ISU's top-10 list. Golliday went on to place second in the triple jump at a distance of 11.39m (37-04.50). Her triple-jump mark is ranked tenth in the Valley.
"Charde (Golliday) won the long jump the event on her last attempt," Bovee said. "I am really pleased on how she is coming into her own in the long jump. In high school, she was more of a triple jumper, but she has come a long way in the long jump this season."
The women posted a strong effort in the shot put, as they finished second-fourth place. Brandy Thomas placed second with a toss at 14.07m (46-02.00), while Tayler Weaver (43-01.75) finished third, followed by Kassie Hoyme (43-01.00) in fourth.
The women had a total of nine first-place finishers out of sixteen events, and currently have five Valley leaders.
On the men's side, the Redbirds had a total of eight first-place finishers out of sixteen events.
Derrius Rodgers was the collegiate winner in the 60-meter dash at a time of 6.82. He is undefeated in collegiate competition.
In the men's 400-meter dash, the Redbirds come up big, as Justin Agustin placed first at time of 50.50, while Jalen Lewis followed in second at a time of 50.51.
ISU had similar results in the 600-meter run, as freshman Kimathi Johnson took first with a time at 1:23.83, followed by David Curnock in second at time of 1:23.84.
Newcomer, Jack Anstey had a strong season debut as he won the men's 800-meter run at a time of 1:52.73, which beat the John Craft Invite record. Anstey's time is also leading the Valley.
"Jack (Anstey) had a great first collegiate performance today," Bovee said. "I am really pleased how he came out and performed, and I am glad he is a Redbird."
Jaylan McConico had a stellar day, as he won the 60-meter hurdles at a time of 8.19. He also won the preliminary round at a time of 8.17.
In the field, Anthony McRoberts posted a strong effort in the men's high jump as he won the event at a height of 2.09m (06-10.25), which is ranked second in the Missouri Valley. Kellen Kravik had similar success in the men's pole vault, as he won with a vault at 4.27m (14-00)
Zachary Gregory posted a personal-best performance in the weight throw at toss of 16.02 (52-06.75), and placed second overall.
In the 4x400-meter relay, Jordan Wilkerson, Augustin, Rodgers and Lewis won at a time of 3:23.70.
Paul Steeno, Curnock, Johnson, Skyler Arthur won the distance medley relay with a time of 10:23.90.
"Overall, I was very pleased with both men and women," Bovee said. "We competed with confidence and I am really pleased how we came out. I saw many great performances today, and I excited to see how this team competes in Iowa next weekend."
Illinois State men's and women's track and field teams are back in action Jan. 27, as they travel to Iowa City, Iowa, to compete in the Black & Gold Premier Meet.
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