NORMAL, Ill. – For the lone time this season, the Illinois State men's and women's track and field teams will compete on their home track when they host the annual Redbird Invite Saturday at the Redbird Track & Field Complex in Normal, Illinois. Field events are slated to start at 9 a.m., with running events following at 11 a.m.
In addition to the host Redbirds, this weekend's meet will feature six visiting programs: Butler, Dayton, Lincoln (Mo.), Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, Valparaiso, and Western Illinois.
In their last outing at the Sun Angel Classic, hosted by Arizona State, Jaylan McConico and Anderson Devonish posted memorable performances.
McConico, the reigning MVC Male Track Athlete of the Week, is coming off of a school-record breaking effort in the 110-meter hurdles. Making his 2018 outdoor debut, McConico captured a time of 13.81 to finish third overall, shattering Don Burrell's previous school record of 13.85 that had stood since 1985. With the mark, McConico ranks first in the Valley, sixth in the NCAA West Region, and 14th in all of Division I.
Devonish won the 400-meter dash with an impressive time of 46.38. Not only does his mark rank first in the MVC, but it seeds him 10th in the NCAA West region and 17th in the nation as well.
On the women's side, Sydney Laufenberg and Tessa Holland recorded strong performances in their respective throwing events. Competing in the discus, Laufenberg launched a season-best throw of 51.48m (168-11), a mark which was just shy of a personal-best. With the throw, she ranks second in the MVC and 33rd in the NCAA West region.
Holland competed well in the javelin, capturing a season-best mark of 41.51m (136-02.00). She currently sits atop the Valley in the event.
At Saturday's meet, time will also be taken to recognize the Redbirds' 17 graduating seniors. Senior recognition will take place at 10:10 a.m. before the start of the running events.
Admission to the Redbird Invitational is free of charge, and fans are encouraged to attend!
Fans who can't be in attendance can follow live action of the meet on Twitter via @Redbird_TrackXC. Full coverage will also be available on GoRedbirds.com following the conclusion of the meet.
GoRedbirds.com: Your online source for Illinois State Athletics tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
