MADISON, Wis. – At Friday's Badger Red & White Classic, hosted by Wisconsin, the Illinois State men's and women's track & field teams received five ISU all-time top-10 performances from the Redbird throws squad, who also tallied 10 personal-bests.
IN THE FIELD
Led by first-year assistant coach Jeff Rebholz, the Redbird throws squad has improved exponentially over the course of the 2018-19 season, proving that the sky's the limit for this extremely talented group. This theme held true Friday, as the 'Birds excelled in both the weight throw and shot put.
In the women's weight throw, not only did four Redbirds place in the top-10, but they collected three personal-bests and tallied two ISU all-time top-10 marks. Sydney Laufenberg (18.35m/60-02.50) and Tayler Weaver (18.34m/60-02.00), who placed fifth and sixth, respectively, advanced their way up the Redbirds' top-10 list. Their marks rank sixth and seventh all-time in ISU history. Brandy Thomas also recorded a lifetime personal-best in the event, placing 10th with a throw of (17.39m/57-00.75).
Logan Calvin (17.86m/58-07.25) and Zachary Gregory (16.59m/54-05.25) followed suit in the men's weight throw, finishing sixth and ninth, respectively, and each capturing personal-bests. Calvin made an even bigger impact in the men's shot put, where he continues to make Redbird history. With his throw of 18.50m (60-08.50), not only did Calvin place third, but he improved to second-all time in the Illinois State record books. Calvin has now recorded a personal-best in the event four times this season.
Thomas (15.76m/51-08.50) and Kassie Hoyme (14.88m/48-10.00) shined in the women's shot put competition, picking up a pair of indoor personal-bests and ISU all-time top-10 marks. The duo not only posted the second and fourth-farthest marks at today's meet, but the fourth and eighth-farthest distances in Redbird track & field history. Hannah Johnson also posted a personal-record, placing eighth with a throw of 13.94m (45-09.00).
The Redbird pole vaulters found success Friday as well, winning the men's and women's competitions. Sam Peschke (4.70m/15-05.00) and Ariana Cranston (3.93m/12-10.75) emerged victorious in their respective events. With the win, Cranston claimed her fourth victory of the 2018-19 season. Josiah Lemay soared to new heights in the event, clearing a personal-best 4.55m (14-11.00).
ON THE TRACK
The running Redbirds were led by Ashleigh Wilson and Devon Kelly, who won the women's and men's 200-meter dashes. Wilson clocked in at a season-best 25.47, while Kelly crossed the finish line in a personal-record 22.50. Makayla Pierce also posted a personal-best in the 200-meter (27.25), after capturing a 60-meter personal-record of 8.00 earlier in the day.
The men's 60-meter hurdles group had themselves a day. Led by James Brandenburg's season-best mark of 8.13, five Redbirds advanced beyond the preliminary round to the final round of competition. Brandenburg would go on to win the event with a time of 8.15, registering his first hurdles victory of the season. Cole Maguire had a solid performance as well, finishing fourth in a personal-best 8.58. Caleb Miedema's preliminary round performance is also of note, as the freshman multi-event athlete captured a personal-record time of 8.71.
The women's 60-meter hurdles squad made their own noise, as Jordyn Bruce (8.86) used a season-best performance to propel her to a second-place finish. Olivia Rossman made huge strides in the event, recording a personal-record time of 9.56, a mark which surpasses her previous personal-best by 0.2 seconds.
OTHER NOTABLE MENTIONS
Women's 800-meter
3rd – Maddi Exline (2:16.43), personal-best
Men's 400-meter
8th – Cole Maguire (50.35), personal-best
Men's 800-meter
3rd – Nick Swartzendruber (1:55.11), personal-best
Men's High Jump
5th – Cameron Getz (1.98m/6-06.00), personal-best
NEXT UP
The Illinois State men's and women's track & field teams will be back in action on Feb. 23-24, when they travel to Cedar Falls, Iowa, for the 2019 MVC Indoor Track & Field Championship. More information on the championship meet will be posted to GoRedbirds.com in the coming week.
For all the latest on Redbird track & field and cross country, visit GoRedbirds.com and follow the 'Birds 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.
