TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – On the second day of the 2018 MVC Outdoor Track & Field Championships, hosted by Indiana State, juniors Amanda McClain and James Brandenburg captured individual MVC Championships. McClain claimed her fifth Valley title in the long jump, while Brandenburg won his first decathlon crown.
Thru two days of competition, the Illinois State women lead the field with 98.50 points. Northern Iowa sits in second with 71.50 points, while the host Sycamores sit third with 54 points.
"We had a really strong day on the women's side, with a multitude of people scoring points," said Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Jeff Bovee. "We did what we needed to do today, and this sets us up well for the final day of competition. We have to come back ready to go tomorrow."
McClain's performance in the long jump was a large reason for the Redbirds' success Saturday. McClain leaped a season-best 5.94m (19-06.00) to win the event for the fifth time of her career (three indoor and two outdoor) and earn All-Conference honors yet again. Charde Golliday also scored points in the event, finishing sixth with a jump of 5.77m (18-11.75).
The women's high jump squad followed suit, as Kameesha Smith cleared a personal-best 1.73m (5-08.00) to place second and earn All-Valley distinction. Kristin Higgins and Tessa Holland also scored points for the 'Birds, finishing fourth and sixth, respectively. Higgins' mark of 1.70m (5-07.00) is a new personal-best.
In the throwing circle, the Illinois State women went two-three-four in the shot put. Brandy Thomas was the top Redbird finisher, placing second with a throw of 15.39m (50-06.00) to receive All-Conference honors for the third time of her career. Julia Bourke also made the podium, finishing third with a distance of 14.91m (48-11.00) and capturing her first All-Conference award. Kassie Hoyme placed fourth with a throw of 14.45m (47-05.00), scoring points for the 'Birds.
On the track, Grace Beattie and Lindsey Lewis ran extremely well-executed 3,000-meter steeplechase races en route to All-Valley honors. Beattie finished second in 10:33.63, while Lewis crossed the finish line third in a personal-best 10:46.83. Lewis, who is competing in the last conference meet of her career, earned her first All-Conference accolade with the performance.
Ashlee Stieler finished the heptathlon competition on a high note, breaking the 5,000-point barrier and finishing second with a personal-record 5,028 points. Stieler, who received her first All-Valley honor, recorded personal-bests in the long jump (5.24m/17-06.25) and 800m (2:28.34), as well as a first place finish in the javelin with a throw of 38.97m (127-10).
The Illinois State men, who have tallied 44 points, sit in fourth place with one day of competition remaining.
"We had some great things happen today on the men's side," said Bovee. "The guys are going to be in the hunt, but it is going to be a very tight battle for the MVC title tomorrow."
Brandenburg stole the show in the decathlon Saturday, winning the MVC crown with a personal-best 7,031 points. Not only does the mark set a new Gibson Track & Field Complex Facility Record (that was previously held by All-American Hunter Veith), but it currently ranks 36th in the nation! Brandenburg also improves to second all-time in Illinois State history.
Jordan Wilkerson also scored points in the decathlon, placing fourth with a personal-best 6,623 points. On the second day of competition, Wilkerson posted personal-records in the discus (30.93m/101-06), pole vault (4.03m/13-02.50), and 1,500-meter run (4:58.57). He improves to fourth all-time in ISU track & field history.
The men's high jumpers excelled as well, with Francis Ehigbai and LaMont Allen each clearing 2.09m (6-10.25) to finish second and third, respectively. With the performance, Ehigbai records a new personal-best and Allen earns his first All-Valley honor. Ehigbai also makes the Redbirds' top-10 list, claiming the tenth spot.
Allen scored points in the long jump as well, finishing fourth with a personal-best jump of 7.06m (23-02.00).
Sunday Finals Qualifiers
Women's 100-meter
D'Jenne Egharevba (11.55)
Kelsie Prear (11.83)
Women's 400-meter
Emily Cowan (54.86), time is eighth in ISU history
Ashleigh Wilson (54.89), time is ninth in ISU history
Jaclyn Greci (55.07), time is 10th in ISU history
Women's 800-meter
Hattie Plumb (2:13.36)
Women's 100-meter Hurdles
Demetria Anderson (13.63)
Women's 400-meter Hurdles
Demetria Anderson (1:01.72), time is eighth in ISU history
Jordyn Bruce (1:02.76)
Whitney Ward (1:02.77)
Men's 100-meter
Anderson Devonish (10.72)
Men's 400-meter
Ben Montgomery (47.10)
Men's 800-meter
Tye Sutherland (1:52.17)
Men's 110-meter Hurdles
Jaylan McConico (13.88)
James Brandenburg (14.67)
Duane Sleet (14.81)
Men's 400-meter Hurdles
Justin Agustin (53.54)
Michael Jopes (55.15)
Champions will be crowned tomorrow on the final day of the 2018 MVC Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Field events are slated to start at 10:30 a.m. CT, with running events following at 12 p.m. CT.
Redbird fans can follow along with all the championship action on Twitter via @Redbird_TrackXC. Full coverage will be available on GoRedbirds.com following the conclusion of each day of the meet.
GoRedbirds.com: Your online source for Illinois State Athletics tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
