MADISON, Wis. – The Illinois State men's and women's track and field teams concluded their regular season schedule Friday at the Wisconsin Twilight meet, hosted by Wisconsin. Over the course of the meet, the 'Birds posted seven ISU all-time top-10 performances and 28 personal-bests.
The Redbirds' women's throwing squad was unstoppable, as they were a force to be reckoned with across the board. In the hammer throw, Julia Bourke and Brandy Thomas each recorded personal-bests and improved their placement on ISU's top-10 list. Bourke launched a throw of 60.26m (197-08) to finish second, eclipsing the 60-meter mark for the first time of her career. Thomas placed sixth with a distance of 54.16m (177-08). The pair now ranks third and seventh, respectively, in Redbird history.
Thomas excelled in the shot put as well, throwing over 51 feet for the third straight week. Her heave of 15.96m (52-04.50) was good for third. Kassie Hoyme had a career day in the shot put, breaking the 15-meter barrier for the first time. With her throw of 15.18m (49-09.75), she improves to seventh on ISU's top-10 list. Hoyme also recorded a personal-record in the javelin with a throw of 33.37m (109-06).
In the women's high jump, Kameesha Smith posted a solid performance of her own. The freshman cleared a personal-record 1.72m (5-07.75) to place second. With the mark, she sits second in the Valley and eighth all-time in Illinois State history.
On the track, Jack Anstey recorded an impressive performance in the 800-meter run, clocking in at a personal-best 1:49.56. Not only does his time rank sixth on the Redbirds' top-10 chart, but it is also second in the MVC.
In the 110-meter hurdles, Duane Sleet captured personal-bests in the preliminary and final rounds of the event. In prelims, he posted a personal-record qualifying time of 14.98 to advance to finals. Sleet would then go on to place third in finals in 14.92. He currently sits 10th all-time in ISU track and field history.
Jake Gillum picked up his first collegiate win in the 1,500-meter, as he was the first to cross the finish line in 3:54.05. This is the second-consecutive week that he has recorded a personal-best in the event. In the women's 1,500-meter race, Annie Moore captured yet another personal-record. With her time of 4:38.60, she has now posted a personal-best in every 1,500-meter race she has ran this season.
Ryan Ashenbremer also won his event, finishing first in the pole vault with a personal-best height of 5.12m (16-09.50). His Valley-leading mark is good for fifth all-time in Redbird history. Luke Nelson finished just behind in second, clearing 5.02m (16-05.50).
Other Notable Performances
Women's 100-meter
2nd - Da'Nae Gill (12.24)
Women's 800-meter
3rd - Hattie Plumb (2:09.70)
Women's 100-meter Hurdles
2nd - Mya Robinson (14.22), personal-record
Women's 400-meter Hurdles
2nd - Whitney Ward (1:02.86), season-best
Women's High Jump
6th - Kristin Higgins (1.68m/5-06.00), personal-best
Men's 200-meter
2nd - Andy Hatch (21.79), season-best
Men's 400-meter Hurdles
3rd - Michael Jopes (54.92)
Men's Discus
6th - Sam Weisz (47.76/156-08), personal-record
Men's Hammer Throw
4th - Sam Weisz (55.57m/182-04), personal-record
6th - Logan Calvin (52.52m/172-04), personal-record
Men's Shot Put
7th - Adam Schaufelberger (16.50m/54-01.75), personal-record
8th - Logan Calvin (16.07m/52-08.75), outdoor 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 Terre Haute, Indiana, for the 2018 MVC Outdoor Track & Field Championships on May 11-13, hosted by Indiana State. Championship updates and information will be posted to GoRedbirds.com during the upcoming week.
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