TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – For the first time since 2006, the Illinois State men's and women's track & field team hoisted the Coughlin-Malloy Cup after defeating Indiana State by a score of 154-148 in the Terre Haute Double-Dual, hosted by Rose-Hulman.
Friday's meet marked the first Double-Dual victory for Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Jeff Bovee, who could not have been more pleased with his team's effort in the win.
"Today was a total team effort, and we executed a very balanced attack from both the men and the women," Bovee said. "This meet has been our focus for several weeks now, and I am very excited for the student-athletes to experience this victory. I am beyond proud of them."
The ISU men were vital to the Redbirds' success, taking down the Sycamores 79-72. Although the ISU women lost to Indiana State by a single point (76-75), it was outstanding performances by the women's 4x400-meter relay team and pole-vaulter Ariana Cranston that solidified the overall win.
The 4x400-meter relay squad of  Emily Cowan, Whitney Ward, Jaclyn Greci, and Ashleigh Wilson finished first with a time of 3:49:49, scoring five key points for the Redbirds. This victory, in addition to Cranston's first-place finish in the pole vault, helped take down Indiana State once and for all. In the win, Cranston established a new personal-record for the second-consecutive meet, clearing 3.68m (12-00.75).
The 'Birds also received huge performances from hurdlers Jaylan McConico and Demetria Anderson. McConico, who won the 60-meter high hurdles, re-set his own school record with a time of 7.84. His mark currently ranks sixth in all of Division I. Anderson, who placed first in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.52, set a new meet and facility record.
Other Notable Performances
LaMont Allen - Allen won the high jump for the second-consecutive meet, clearing a height of 2.06m (6-09.00).
J.D. LaFayette - After redshirting last season, LaFayette won the 800-meter dash in his first race back, recording a time of 1:56.27. He helped lead the Redbird 800-meter squad of Kimathi Johnson, Jake Gillum, and Kyle Hatton that captured the top-four spots in the event.
Ben Montgomery - The defending MVC champion in the 400-meter dash, Montgomery opened his season with a first place finish in the event, posting a time of 49.78.
Grace Beattie - Beattie won the 3,000-meter run with a time of 10:09.47, also placing second in the mile-run (5:02.59).
Charde Golliday - Golliday won the long jump, capturing a new season-best of 5.78m (18-11.75).
Hattie Plumb - Plumb had a strong showing in the 800-meter run, placing second and establishing a new personal-record of 2:13.72.
The Illinois State track & field teams will be back in action next weekend when they travel to South Bend, Indiana, to compete in the Notre Dame Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 20.
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