CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – After an exhilarating first day at the 2018 MVC Indoor Track & Field Championships, hosted by Northern Iowa, the Illinois State men's and women's track and field teams both lead the competition heading into day two. On Day One, three 'Birds were crowned individual MVC champions, 14 student-athletes earned All-Valley honors, and three ISU school records fell.
"Today was a great start for us," said Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Jeff Bovee. "For a two day meet, it is imperative that you come out strong, and we definitely did that today. The overall number of qualifiers that we have sets us up well for day two. However, we have to be ready to come out tomorrow and compete, because other teams are performing at a high level as well."
Through five events, the Illinois State men sit atop the leader board with 44 points. Indiana State (37) and Southern Illinois (33) are in second and third, respectively. The women's competition continues to be a barn burner, with the Redbirds and Sycamores of Indiana State tied with 44 points after day one. Northern Iowa (40) trails in third by only four points.
The 'Birds opened up the championship competition on a high note when Tessa Holland not only won the women's pentathlon, but shattered the ISU school record in the process. She recorded personal-bests in the 60-meter hurdles (8.81), shot put (11.14m/36-06.75), and 800-meter run (2:23.50) en route to a 3,834 point performance. Holland's record-setting mark best's Jennette Whitcomb's previous school-record (3,717) that had stood since 1993.
Jordyn Bruce (3,499 points) and Ashlee Stieler (3,424 points) also found success in the pentathlon, finishing fifth and seventh, respectively. Bruce used a first-place performance (2:20.83) in the 800-meter run to catapult her from ninth to fifth in the pentathlon standings. Stieler recorded personal-bests in four of the five events, with her best performance coming in the high jump where she cleared 1.60m (5-03.00) to place fourth.
The men's pole vault squad showed total domination in their event, claiming the top-four spots. While all the 'Birds recorded impressive performances, it was freshman Ryan Ashenbremer who came away with the MVC title. Ashenbremer cleared a personal-best 5.06m (16-07.25) to win gold. His mark currently ranks third all-time in ISU history.
Kellen Kravik (4.96m/16-03.25) and Luke Nelson (4.91m/16-01.25) also earned All-MVC honors in the event, finishing second and third, respectively. Kravik's mark is not only a personal-record, but ranks fifth on ISU's top-10 list. Sam Peschke rounded out the top-four finishers, clearing a personal-best 4.81m (15-09.25) to place fourth. He now sits tenth all-time in Redbird track & field history.
The women's long jump group took command of their event as well, placing three student-athletes in the top-five. Amanda McClain continues to add titles to her already-decorated resume, as she won the MVC indoor long jump title for the third straight year with a leap of 6.05m (19-10.25).
Freshman Kameesha Smith finished just behind in second, capturing a huge personal-record of 6.02m (19-09.00). Not only does the mark earn her All-MVC honors, but it places her fourth on ISU's top-10 list. Charde Golliday also posted a personal-record in the event, leaping 5.91m (19-04.75) to finish fifth.
In the men's long jump, Anthony McRoberts recorded a solid performance of his own. The sophomore recorded a jump of 7.23m (23-08.75) to finish fourth. He now ranks eighth all-time in Illinois State history in the event.
On the track, familiar faces stole the show for the Redbirds. In the 60-meter hurdle prelims, Jaylan McConico re-set his own ISU school-record for the third time this season, posting the top qualifying time of 7.79. The mark, which advances him to tomorrow's finals, currently ranks 18th in all of Division I.
On the women's side, Demetria Anderson (8.48) continues to be a force to be reckoned with, also posting the quickest time in the 60-meter hurdle prelims. She advances to tomorrow's 60-meter hurdles finals, where she will look to capture her first MVC title.
The men's and women's 60-meter student-athletes were just as extraordinary in their preliminary heats. Derrius Rodgers was outstanding, recording a time of 6.60 to re-set his own Illinois State school-record that he previously established at the 2017 Valley Championships. In addition, Rodgers' mark ties Brandon Carnes' MVC meet record and seeds him sixth in the nation in the 60-meter dash. Rodgers will compete tomorrow in the 60-meter dash final.
The 60-meter dash women broke records of their own. D'Jenne Egharevba (7.39) tied her own ISU school record, while Kelsie Prear (7.41) improved herself to second all-time in ISU history in the event. As if this wasn't enough, the duo also broke the UNI Dome record of 7.43 that was set in 2006 by Illinois State's very own Devon Williams. The pair will be back in action tomorrow when they compete in the 60-meter dash finals.
The Illinois State distance runners also performed at a high level on Day One of the MVC Championships. 2017 NCAA Cross Country Qualifier Kyle Mattes showed his prowess once again, finishing fifth in the 5,000-meter run with a time of 14:54.50.
Both the men's and women's distance medley relay teams closed out the day strong, with both squads finishing third to earn All-Conference honors. The women's team of Annie Moore, Whitney Ward, Molly Krawczykowski, and Kennidi Knoblock crossed the finish line in 11:56.12. The men's team of Jack Anstey, Brandon Gage, Kyle Hatton, and Connor Ehnle completed their race in 10:06.02.
Action will resume at the MVC Championships tomorrow morning at 9:30 a.m. with the second half of the men's heptathlon competition. Fans can watch live on ESPN3/WatchESPN, starting at 1:15 p.m.
A list of athletes who competed in the preliminary heats of their respective events and will compete in tomorrow's finals (and were not included above) can be found below.
Men's Heptathlon (Standings Through 4 Events)
1st - Jordan Wilkerson (3,029 points)
3rd - James Brandenburg (3,000 points)
9th - Derek Wegman (2,490 points)
Men's 200m
Anderson Devonish
Derrius Rodgers
Men's 400-meter
Anderson Devonish
Ben Montgomery
Men's 800-meter
J.D. LaFayette
Tye Sutherland
Men's Mile
Jack Anstey
Kimathi Johnson
Men's 60-meter Hurdles
Kentre Patterson
James Brandenburg
Duane Sleet
Women's 200-meter
D'Jenne Egharevba
Kelsie Prear
Women's 400-meter
Jaclyn Greci
Amanda McClain
Ashleigh Wilson
Women's 800-meter
Hattie Plumb
Women's Mile
Grace Beattie
Molly Krawczykowski
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