CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illinois State men's and women's track and field teams completed their regular season slate Saturday at the Orange & Blue Open, hosted by Illinois. After capturing four individual-event victories and posting 11 personal-records, the Redbirds walk away from today's meet ready for next weekend's MVC Championships.
Of all the strong performances that the 'Birds recorded today, the men's pole vault squad stole the show. For the second time this season, Luke Nelson cleared 5.08m (16-08.00), tying his personal-best that he set earlier this year at the Notre Dame Invitational. His mark, which was good for second place, ranks second all-time in ISU history and is the best in the Valley.
Kellen Kravik and Kyle Rowe followed suite, finishing fourth and sixth respectively. Kravik tied his personal-best, clearing 4.77m (15-07.75) to improve to sixth in the MVC. Rowe captured a new personal-record, clearing 4.65m (15-03.00).
Sprinters Da'Nae Gill and Brandon Gage also had solid performances in their respective events. Gill captured a pair of third place finishes in the 60-meter dash (7.69) and 200-meter dash (25.53), recording personal-bests in both events. Gage won the 400-meter dash, crossing the finish line in 50.12.
Charde Golliday claimed a victory in her event as well, placing first in the long jump with a mark of 5.62m (18-05.25). Her previous long jump mark of 5.87m (19-03.25) that she posted at the Meyo Invitational on Feb. 2 still ranks second in the Valley.
The women's 400-meter dash squad was a force to be reckoned with, as three 'Birds placed in the top-five. Whitney Ward took first with a time of 58.33, and Jaclyn Greci (58.48) finished just behind in second. Nicole Humenik crossed the tape fifth in 59.81.
In the weight throw, Sydney Laufenberg had a break-through performance. Her event-winning distance of 16.97m (55-08.25) was a huge personal-record, surpassing her previous personal-best by over a meter. On the men's side of the event, Sam Weisz finished third with a personal-best throw of 16.55m (54-03.75).
Other Notable Performances
Women's 60-meter Hurdles
4th - Mya Robinson (8.79)
Women's Pole Vault
3rd - Cassie Wilson (3.47m / 11-04.50), personal-record (for the second-consecutive week)
Women's High Jump
2nd - Olivia Rossman (1.63m / 5-04.25), ties personal-record
Women's Shot Put
1st - Brandy Thomas (13.86m / 45-05.75)
2nd - Kassie Hoyme (13.56 / 44-06.00)
3rd - Tayler Weaver (13.56m / 44-06.00), personal-record (for the second-consecutive week)
Men's 60-meter Dash
2nd - Dion Hooker (6.95), season-best
5th - Andy Hatch (7.11), personal-record
The Illinois State men's and women's track and field teams will be back in action next weekend in their biggest meet of the season, the 2018 MVC Indoor Championships. The meet will take place on Feb. 24-25 at the UNI Dome in Cedar Falls, Iowa. More information regarding the Valley championships will be available on GoRedbirds.com during the upcoming week.
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