NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State men's and women's track and field teams open the 2018-19 indoor slate Saturday when they travel to Iowa City, Iowa, to compete in the Jimmy Grant Invitational, hosted by Iowa. The meet is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. with the weight throw at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex. Jumps will begin at 2:30 p.m. at the UI Rec Building, followed by the running events at 4:30 p.m.
SCOUTING THE COMPETITION
In addition to the Redbirds and host Hawkeyes, Saturday's meet will feature Big 12 opponent Iowa State and MVC-foes Drake and Northern Iowa. In what prepares to be an excellent early-season test for ISU, the Redbirds will represent the state of Illinois in what otherwise would be a "Battle for Iowa."
WATCH US SOAR
Admission to the Jimmy Grant Invitational is free! For fans who cannot be in attendance, live results will be provided on hawkeyesports.com/tracklive. Results will also be posted on the @Redbird_TrackXC Twitter account. Live video of the meet will be available as well on hawkeyesports.com.
ALL WE DO IS WIN
The Redbird men's and women's track and field teams enter the 2018-19 indoor track & field season as the pre-season Missouri Valley Conference favorites. This comes as no surprise after ISU swept the MVC Indoor Track & Field Championships during the 2017-18 season and was deemed the 2018 MVC Program of the Year this past summer. The Redbird women also notched a sweep of their own last season, claiming the 2018 MVC Outdoor Track & Field title as well.
BACK AND READY FOR MORE
The Redbirds return nine student-athletes that won individual Valley titles during last year's indoor season, including Tessa Holland, who claimed two individual titles, and J.D. LaFayette, who was the 2018 MVC indoor track and field Elite 17 Award winner. Of these nine student-athletes, six of them also hold the Illinois State indoor school record in their respective events. These individuals include:
Demetria Anderson 60-meter Hurdles (holds school record of 8.33)
Ryan Ashenbremer Pole Vault
James Brandenburg Heptathlon (holds school record of 5,207 points)
Brandon Gage 4x400-meter Relay (holds school record of 3:11.59)
Tessa Holland Pentathlon (holds school record of 3,834 points)
High Jump
J.D. LaFayette 800-meter
Amanda McClain Long Jump (holds school record of 6.17m (20-03.00))
Ben Montgomery 4x400-meter Relay (holds school record of 3:11.59)
Brandy Thomas Shot Put
STRENGTH COMES IN NUMBERS
In addition to returning several individual MVC Champions, the Redbirds welcome back 12 female student-athletes and nine male student-athletes that earned All-Valley honors at last year's MVC Indoor Track & Field Championship. Joining the Redbirds listed above are the following 2018 All-Conference honorees:
Grace Beattie Mile Run (second place)
Ariana Cranston Pole Vault (second place)
Kennidi Knoblock DMR (third place)
Amanda McClain 4x400-meter Relay (second place)
Annie Moore DMR (third place)
Hattie Plumb 800-meter (second place)
Kameesha Smith Long Jump (second place)
Whitney Ward DMR (third place)
Ashleigh Wilson 400-meter (second place) and 4x400-meter relay (second place)
Jack Anstey Mile Run (second place) and DMR (third place)
Brandon Gage DMR (third place)
Kellen Kravik Pole Vault (second place)
Luke Nelson Pole Vault (third place)
Jordan Wilkerson Heptathlon (third place)
NEXT UP
After Saturday's meet, the Illinois State men's and women's track & field teams won't return to action until Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019, when they compete in the annual Double Dual against Indiana State.
For all the latest on Redbird Track & Field and Cross Country, visit GoRedbirds.com and follow the 'Birds on Twitter (@Redbird_TrackXC) and Facebook (@redbirdsTF).
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