ST. LOUIS – After setting a new meet record in the 800-meter and helping the Redbirds claim the Coughlan-Malloy Cup for the second-straight season, Illinois State junior Jack Anstey has been named the Missouri Valley Conference Male Track Athlete of the Week, the league announced Tuesday.
This award marks the third weekly honor of Anstey's career, after receiving MVC Male Track Athlete of the Week distinction twice during the 2018 outdoor season. In addition, this is the Redbirds' second weekly honor of the young 2018-19 campaign, as Grace Beattie was deemed the MVC Female Track Athlete of the Week on Dec. 11, 2018.
In Saturday's battle against Indiana State for the Coughlan-Malloy Cup, Anstey won the 800-meter run in style, recording a new meet record of 1:53.49. With the time, he surpassed the previous record of 1:54.11 that was set in 2010 by Indiana State's Jeremiah Vaughn. Even more impressive, Anstey's converted time of 1:51.89 currently leads the Valley and ranks ninth in all of Division I.
Due in part to Anstey's outstanding 800-meter performance, the Redbirds hoisted the Coughlan-Malloy Cup in back-to-back years for the first time in program history.
The Illinois State men's and women's track & field teams will be back in action Saturday, Jan. 19 when they travel to South Bend, Indiana, to compete in the Notre Dame Invitational.
For all the latest on Redbird Track & Field and Cross Country, visit GoRedbirds.com and follow the 'Birds on Twitter (@Redbird_TrackXC) and Facebook (@redbirdsTF).
GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App:Â Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
