CHARLESTON, Ill. – On the final day of the Big Blue Classic, hosted by Eastern Illinois, senior Lindsey Lewis broke the 3,000-meter steeplechase meet record, winning the event with a personal-best time of 10:52.68. Her performance highlighted a number of noteworthy Redbird marks that were posted Saturday.
"This weekend was not about notching the fastest times or the best marks," said Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Jeff Bovee. "Instead, it was about learning to compete and, overall, I believe we did that. We had a lot of wins and our student-athletes gave great effort. We come out of this meet having accomplished what we set out to do."
After her outstanding showing today, Lewis currently ranks 10th all-time in ISU history in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. She crushed the competition, besting the runner-up by nearly a minute en route to claiming the Big Blue Classic meet record.
In addition to Lewis, several other 'Birds posted individual victories. Freshman Kyle Rowe picked up his first collegiate win in the pole vault, clearing an outdoor personal-best of 4.60m (15-01.00). Freshman Ashlee Stieler also recorded her first win with a throw of 37.20m (122-0) in the javelin.
Anthony McRoberts and Annie Moore battled the elements to emerge victorious in their respective events as well. McRoberts won the high jump with a height of 2.05m (6-08.75). Moore excelled in the 800-meter run, as she was the first to cross the finish line in 2:17.28.
The men's 4x400-meter relay team of Brandon Gage, Tye Sutherland, Kyle Hatton, and Avery Lyons closed out the meet with a win, clocking in at 3:22.06.
Other Notable Performances
Women's 400-meter
3rd - Emily Cowan (58.72)
Women's 100-meter Hurdles
3rd - Mya Robinson (14.53), preliminary time of 14.32 is a personal-record
Women's Triple Jump
3rd - Victoria Gruszka (11.91m / 39-01.00), ties personal-record
Women's Discus
3rd - Kassie Hoyme (41.45m / 136-0)
Men's 100-meter
4th - Dion Hooker (10.79)
Men's 400-meter
2nd - Avery Lyons (50.12)
4th - Tye Sutherland (50.22), personal-record
The Illinois State men's and women's track and field teams will be back in action next weekend when they travel to Tempe, Arizona, to compete in the Sun Angel Classic on April 6-7.
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