ST. LOUIS – Following an ISU school record-breaking performance in the discus at Saturday's Ole Miss Classic, junior Sydney Laufenberg has been named the MVC Female Field Athlete of the Week for the first time of her career, announced the league Tuesday.
Laufenberg, the reigning back-to-back MVC Champion in the discus, added another accomplishment to her resume this past weekend: the Illinois State school record. Laufenberg didn't just break Angie Joy's previous school record of 55.17m (181-00) from 1998, she shattered it, surpassing this mark by nearly two meters. Laufenberg ultimately won the competition with a heave of 56.99m (187-00), engraving her name on ISU's record board.Â
Not only does Laufenberg's distance lead the Valley by over a meter, but it ranks sixth in the NCAA West Region and seventh in the nation. In addition, Laufenberg's throw propelled the Redbird women up 60 spots in this week's USTFCCCA National TFRI, as the 'Birds jumped from No.147 to No. 87.
As if this wasn't enough, Laufenberg also recorded a lifetime personal-best in the hammer throw (53.16m/174-05), a mark which sits seventh in the MVC and 67th in the NCAA West Region.
The Illinois State men's and women's track & field teams will return home this weekend to host the annual Redbird Invite on Saturday, April 6. Admission to the meet is free of charge.
For all the latest on Redbird Track & Field and Cross Country, visit GoRedbirds.com and follow the 'Birds on Twitter (@Redbird_TrackXC), Instagram (@redbird_trackxc), and Facebook (@redbirdsTF).
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