CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – For the first time since 1997, the Illinois State men's and women's track & field teams are coming home with two team titles after sweeping the MVC Championships, hosted by Northern Iowa. Following the clean sweep, Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Jeff Bovee was named the MVC Men's and Women's Indoor Coach of the Year.
"Words cannot explain how proud I am of this group of men and women," said Bovee. "They poured their hearts and souls into the competition this weekend. The energy that was brought across the board was a true team effort. Things this great don't occur very often, and I can't say how amazing this experience was for everyone involved."
The men, who were the clear-cut favorite heading into the meet, completely dominated the competition. They finished the day with 182 points, besting the runner-up Indiana State (112) by 70 points! The women, who were expected to be in a barn-burner with Indiana State, had other plans. They pulled away from the Sycamores early on during Day Two, finishing with 174 points. The Sycamores ended the day with 139 points and were named the runner-up.
Award Winners
Most Valuable Athletes
D'Jenne Egharevba and Anderson Devonish were named the Most Valuable Athletes of the meet, scoring the most points among the entire field of competitors.
Egharevba scored a total of 22 points, as she walked away with the 60-meter dash title, 200-meter dash title, and All-Conference honors in the 4x400-meter relay. En route to these accolades, Egharevba re-set her own ISU school record in the 60-meter dash (7.33) and broke ISU's 200-meter school record. With her winning 200-meter time of 23.78, Egharevba becomes the first Redbird woman to break the 24-second barrier, shattering Lian Lucas' previous school record of 24.00 that was set in 2006.
Devonish tallied 22.50 points, capturing the 200-meter dash title (21.34), 400-meter dash title (47.50), and 4x400-meter relay title. With the 400-meter dash win, Devonish becomes a three-time MVC Indoor Champion in the event.
Most Outstanding Track Athletes
Egharevba and Jaylan McConico were deemed the Most Outstanding Track Athletes of the Meet, which is awarded to the female and male student-athlete that captured the highest-ranking individual performance on the NCAA list.
Egharevba received this award after winning the 60-meter dash with an ISU school-record time of 7.33. The mark currently ranks 32nd in the NCAA.
McConico was crowned the 2018 MVC champion in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 7.64, a mark which currently ranks third in the nation and shatters his own ISU school record. McConico improved 0.15 seconds from the preliminary round, where he posted a 7.79, and put himself in great contention to qualify for NCAAs.
Elite 17 Award
The Elite 17 Award is the highest achievement in academics and athletics by a student-athlete in each MVC-sponsored sport. This year's winner was J.D. LaFayette, who won his second MVC Indoor 800-meter title with a time of 1:55.14. This comes only one year after Lafayette red-shirted due to injury. This also marks the second time Lafayette has received this award, as he was the award recipient at the 2016 MVC Indoor Championships as well.
Top-16 Nationally-Ranked Athletes
In addition to McConico, the 'Birds posted two performances that, if the standings hold, would qualify for the NCAA Championships.
Derrius Rodgers won the 60-meter dash title with a time of 6.65, in addition to placing second in the 200-meter dash (21.79) and running a leg on the MVC Champion 4x400-meter relay team. However, his 60-meter time of 6.60 from prelims currently ranks sixth in the nation. The 2017 NCAA Indoor Second-Team All-American is looking to make his second appearance at the national meet.
Kentre Patterson joins McConico on the national top-16 list in the 60-meter hurdles. Patterson posted a time of 7.75 to place second and claim All-Valley honors. He currently ranks eleventh in all of Division I.
ISU School Records Fall and MVC Champions are Crowned
Over the two days, the 'Birds won a total of 15 MVC titles and broke seven ISU school records,
Women's Title Winners
Demetria Anderson, 60-meter Hurdles (8.33), ISU School Record
D'Jenne Egharevba, 60-meter (7.33), ISU School Record
                                   200-meter (23.78), ISU School Record
Tessa Holland, Pentathlon (3,834 points), ISU School Record
                          High Jump (1.72m/5-07.75)
Amanda McClain, Long Jump (6.05m/19-10.25)
Brandy Thomas, Shot Put (15.16m/49-09.00)
Men's Title Winners
Ryan Ashenbremer, Pole Vault (5.06m/16-07.25)
James Brandenburg, Heptathlon (5,207 points), ISU School Record
Anderson Devonish, 200-meter (21.76)
                               400-meter (47.50)
J.D. LaFayette, 800-meter (1:55.14)
Jaylan McConico, 60-meter Hurdles (7.64), ISU School Record
Derrius Rodgers, 60-meter (6.65), preliminary time of 6.60 is an ISU School Record
4x400-meter Relay of Devonish, Brandon Gage, Rodgers, and Ben Montgomery (3:13.91)
All-Conference Performers
In addition to all the Valley Champions, a total of 22 student-athletes earned All-Conference accolades. On the women's side, 27 of the 32 student-athletes scored points for the 'Birds. For the men, 23 of the 32 competitors tallied points for Illinois State. The 'Birds epitomize the saying "strength comes in numbers."
Women's All-MVC
Grace Beattie, Mile, Second Place (4:50.53)
Emily Cowan, 4x400-meter relay, Second Place (3:43.66)
Ariana Cranston, Pole Vault, Second Place (3.71m/12-02.00)
D'Jenne Egharevba, 4x400-meter relay, Second Place (3:43.66)
Kennidi Knoblock, DMR, Third Place (11:56.12)
Molly Krawczykowski, DMR, Third Place (11:56.12)
Amanda McClain, 4x400-meter relay, Second Place (3:43.66)
Annie Moore, DMR, Third Place (11:56.12)
Hattie Plumb, 800-meter, Second Place (2:10.49)
Kameesha Smith, Long Jump, Second Place (6.02m/19-09.00)
Whitney Ward, Women's DMR, Third Place (11:56.12)
Ashleigh Wilson, 400-meter, Second Place (55.50)
                          4x400-meter relay, Second Place (3:43.66)
Men's All-MVC
Jack Anstey, Mile, Second Place (4:24.02)
                    DMR, Third Place (10:06.02)
Connor Ehnle, DMR, Third Place (10:06.02)
Brandon Gage, DMR, Third Place (10:06.02)
Kyle Hatton, DMR, Third Place (10:06.02)
Kellen Kravik, Pole Vault, Second Place (4.96m/16-03.25)
Anthony McRoberts, High Jump, Second Place (2.11m/6-11.00)
Kentre Patterson, 60-meter Hurdles, Second Place (7.75)
Luke Nelson, Pole Vault, Third Place (4.91m/16-01.25)
Derrius Rodgers, 200-meter, Second Place (21.76)
Jordan Wilkerson, Heptathlon, Third Place (5,047 points)
Next up for the 'Birds is the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships on March 9-10 in College Station, Texas, for qualifying athletes. The official qualifying lists will be released during the upcoming week.
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