KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – On the second day of the Tennessee Relays, hosted by Tennessee, the Illinois State men's and women's track and field teams came out ready to compete, notching six ISU all-time top-10 marks and numerous personal-bests.
ON THE TRACK
The running Redbirds were led by junior distance standout Jack Anstey's personal-best performance in the 800-meter run. Racing in the hot heat of a loaded field, Anstey stayed focused and ran his race, utilizing a strong push in the final 200-meters to finish second among 49 student-athletes in 1:48.78. Not only did this set a personal-record for Anstey, but it improved him to third all-time in Redbird history.
The 'Birds also found success in the women's 800-meter, as Hattie Plumb notched an ISU all-time top-10 performance of her own. Plumb hasn't let anything stop her this season, continuing to drop time each week. She finished eighth overall on Friday with the seventh-fastest time in ISU track and field history (2:09.05), a mark which is also an outdoor personal-best.
Freshmen Cole Maguire and Tori Ortiz continue to make an impact for ISU. Maguire won his 400-meter hurdle heat in 53.97, finishing fifth overall in a field of 24 competitors. Ortiz posted a 200-meter personal-best for the third-consecutive week, placing 13th with a time of 24.54.
IN THE FIELD
The 'Birds shined in the shot put competition on Friday, with Logan Calvin and Tayler Weaver both cracking ISU's top-10 list. Calvin continues to improve week in and week out, posting an outdoor personal-best throw of 17.46m (57-03.50) to place ninth. With his mark, he ranks sixth in the Redbird record book.
Weaver also captured an outdoor personal-best, recording a heave of 14.81m (48-07.25) to finish 13th. Her mark is good for ninth all-time on ISU's top-10 list. Although Weaver solidified her spot in Redbird history, Brandy Thomas was the top shot put finisher on the day, placing seventh with a season-best throw of 15.43m (50-07.50).
New and familiar faces found themselves on the Redbirds' top-10 list on Friday, as Caleb Miedema and Ariana Cranston captured impressive marks in their respective events. Competing in his first decathlon ever, Miedema tallied the seventh-highest point total (6,462) in program history, finishing eighth. His point total was fueled by personal-best performances in the 110-meter hurdles (16.04), discus (36.24m/118-10), and pole vault (4.15m/13-07.25). His pole vault showing was particularly remarkable, as his clearance was a six-inch personal-record.
Cranston continued her consistency in the pole vault, clearing an outdoor personal-best 3.90m (12-09.50) to finish third. With the height, she advances to third all-time on Illinois State's top-10 list.
OTHER NOTABLE PERFORMANCESÂ
Women's 400m
13th – Ashleigh Wilson (55.81), season-best
Women's 1,500m
14th – Grace Beattie (4:31.38), personal-best
26th – Annie Moore (4:39.07), season-best
Women's Long Jump
8th – Charde Golliday (5.99m/19-08.00)
Women's Javelin
8th – Tessa Holland (40.83m/133-11), season-best
Women's Heptathlon
10th - Jordyn Bruce (4,758 points), 100-point personal-best
14th - Olivia Rossman (4,256 points)
Men's 200m
20th – Andy Hatch (21.70), personal-best
25th – Dion Hooker (21.89), season-best
NEXT UP
Action will resume tomorrow morning on the final day of the Tennessee Relays. Field events are slated for a 10 a.m. CT start, with running events following for the 'Birds at 12:30 p.m. CT.
For fans who wish to follow along, live results will be available and a live stream will be broadcast on the SEC Network+. Access to both of these links can be found on GoRedbirds.com and on Twitter via @Redbird_TrackXC.
For all the latest on the Redbird Track and Field and Cross Country programs, visit GoRedbirds.com and follow the 'Birds on Twitter (@Redbird_TrackXC), Instagram (@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.
