SOUTH BEND, Ind. – At Saturday's Notre Dame Invitational in South Bend, Indiana, the Illinois State men's and women's track & field teams showed their strength across the board, with nearly every event-group posting an ISU all-time top-10 performance and multiple personal-bests.
From a team aspect, both the Redbird men and women placed third, falling to ACC opponents Louisville and Notre Dame. The ISU men totaled 114 points, trailing meet-champion Louisville (126 points) by 12 points and Notre Dame (124 points) by 10 points. The Illinois State women tallied 94.5 points, dropping to first-place Louisville (145.5 points) and second-place Notre Dame (121 points).
BY THE NUMBERS
Although the Redbirds did not prevail as a team, there were numerous individual performances that rank among the best in Illinois State track & field history. Over the course of the meet, the Redbirds broke one school record, posted eight individual event wins, recorded 15 ISU all-time top-10 performances, and notched 32 personal-bests.
ONE FALLEN RECORD
Competing in the first 1,000-meter race of her collegiate career, freshman Rachel Hickey exuded confidence, finishing third in the women's 1,000-meter and breaking ISU's school record in the process. Hickey is the first Redbird woman to go sub-2:50 in the event, posting a time of 2:49.01 to surpass Kristen Zillmer's previous school record of 2:50.41 that was set in 2014.
EIGHT INDIVIDUAL EVENT WINS
Perhaps the highlight of the Redbirds' eight individual event wins was their sweep of the men's and women's shot put competitions. On the women's side, Brandy Thomas and Julia Bourke finished 1-2 in the event, each posting ISU all-time top-10 marks. Thomas' winning heave of 15.35m (50-04.50) sits fifth in Redbird track & field history, while Bourke's personal-best distance of 15.32m (50-03.25) ranks sixth all-time. On the men's side, Logan Calvin won the shot put competition with a personal-best throw for the second-consecutive week. His winning throw of 18.27m (59-11.25) is the third-farthest in ISU history.
On the track, Ben Montgomery had himself a day, winning the 400-meter dash (47.86) and helping the 'Birds' 4x400-meter relay squad to a victory as well. The quartet of Nick Swartzendruber, Brandon Gage, Avery Lyons, and Montgomery not only placed first in 3:15.18, but posted the sixth-fastest time in Redbird history.
The following student-athletes won their respective events as well:
Jack Anstey – 1,000-meter (2:23.58) – mark ranks third all-time in ISU history
Kimathi Johnson – 800-meter (1:53.64)
Luke Nelson – Pole Vault (5.05m/16-06.75)
Kameesha Smith – High Jump (1.76m/5-09.75) – personal-best – mark ranks fifth all-time in ISU history
15 ISU ALL-TIME TOP-10 PERFORMANCES
Of the 15 ISU all-time top-10 performances that were posted Saturday, the Illinois State men's pole vault group accounted for nearly a fifth of them. For the first time in Redbird track & field history, the Redbirds had four student-athletes clear over 16 feet: Nelson, Kellen Kravik, Ryan Ashenbremer, and Sam Peschke. Kravik's personal-best height of 5.05m (16-06.75) sits fourth in ISU history, while Peschke's clearance of 4.90m (16-00.75) ranks seventh.
In addition to those performances already mentioned, the following individuals cracked ISU's top-10 list:
Grace Beattie – 3,000-meter (9:40.55) – personal-best – seventh all-time
Bourke – Weight Throw (17.82m/58-05.75) – personal-best – ninth all-time
Ariana Cranston – Pole Vault (3.83m/12-06.75) – fourth all-time
Jake Gillum – 1,000-meter (2:28.12) – ninth all-time
Charde Golliday – Triple Jump (12.19m/40-00.00) – personal-best – fourth all-time
Hattie Plumb – 1,000-meter (2:53.61) – personal-best – fifth all-time
QUOTING COACH BOVEE
"I was really impressed with Ben Montgomery today," said Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Jeff Bovee. "With two come-from-behind wins in the 400-meter and 4x400-meter relay, he looked strong from start to finish today. I definitely think he will be able to cut down time within the next few weeks."
"I was very pleased with Logan Calvin in the shot put," said Bovee. "He's only a sophomore, and he is just getting better and better every meet, which is extremely fun to watch.
"Rachel Hickey breaking the 1,000-meter school record in her first time competing in the race was fantastic," said Bovee.
NEXT UP
The Illinois State track & field teams will be back in action next weekend when they head to nearby Champaign, Illinois, to compete in the Illini Classic on Jan. 25-26.
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).
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