NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State men's and women's track & field teams will face their toughest test of the season thus far when they compete in the esteemed Meyo Invitational, hosted by Notre Dame, on Feb. 1-2 in South Bend, Indiana.
MEET INFORMATION
After competing in the Notre Dame Invitational on Jan. 19, the Redbirds return to Notre Dame's Loftus Sports Center for the 32nd annual Meyo Invitational. The two-day meet is scheduled to start on Friday, Feb. 1 and end on Saturday, Feb. 2.
Friday's competition will get underway at 3 p.m. CT with the women's long jump and weight throw. Running events will follow at 3:30 p.m. CT with the preliminary rounds of the women's 60-meter hurdles. Saturday's slate will kick-off at 8:45 a.m. CT with the women's 60-meter hurdles semifinals. Field events will begin promptly at 9:30 a.m. CT with the women's triple jump and shot put.
Admission to the meet is free of charge, and food and drink are not permitted inside of the facility. For fans who cannot be in attendance, live results will be provided on www.enduranceracetiming.com. The meet will also be broadcasted Saturday starting at 1 p.m. CT on the ACC Network Extra. Additional coverage can be found on Twitter via @Redbird_TrackXC and on GoRedbirds.com at the conclusion of each day of the meet.
SCOUTING THE COMPETITION
The field for this year's Meyo Invitational is vast, featuring 42 total teams. Of those 42 teams, 14 women's and six men's squads are ranked in the top-100 of the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches' Association's (USTFCCCA) National Rating Index. Among these ranked teams is Iowa, Iowa State, Michigan State, and Purdue, just to name a few. For a full listing of teams in attendance, click here.
FACES TO WATCH
At last week's Illini Invitational, the Redbird pole vaulters flew to new heights. Ariana Cranston and Luke Nelson won their respective competitions with personal-best performances. Cranston cleared over 13 feet for the first time of her career (3.97m/13-00.25) and Nelson broke the ISU school-record with a height of 5.29m (17-04.25). For their efforts, Cranston and Nelson were named the MVC's Field Athletes of the Week. Nicole Bagwell also excelled in the pole vault, clearing a personal-best 3.77m (12-04.50), a mark which ranks fifth on the Redbirds' top-10 list.
On the track, Grace Beattie and Jack Anstey ran their way to victories in the mile run. Beattie clocked in at a season-best 4:51.04, while Anstey crossed the finish line in 4:08.08 to remain undefeated for the 2018-19 campaign. Following her third victory of season, Beattie was named the MVC's Female Track Athlete of the Week for the second time this year.
Hattie Plumb and Rachel Hickey also found success last weekend. Plumb won the 600-meter run with the seventh-fastest time in ISU track & field history (1:33.99). Hickey solidified a spot on ISU's top-10 list in the 800-meter run, finishing second in 2:11.72, a mark which ranks seventh all-time as well.
NEXT UP
The Illinois State men's and women's track & field teams will be back in action next weekend when they split forces and travel to Vanderbilt's Music City Invite and the Iowa State Invite on Feb. 8-9.
For all the latest on Redbird track & field and cross country, visit GoRedbirds.com and follow the team on Twitter (@Redbird_TrackXC) and Facebook (@redbirdTF).
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.
