LOUISVILLE, Ky. – On the first day of the Lenny Lyles-Clark Wood Invitational, hosted by Louisville, Illinois State track and field junior Charde Golliday shattered ISU's long jump school record that had stood for 32 years.
Golliday has been on the verge of a breakthrough leap this season and she seized the moment on Friday, winning the long jump competition with a jump of 6.30m (20-08.00) and breaking the ISU school record in the process. With the leap, Golliday took down Angie Taylor's previous school record of 6.24m (20-05.75) that had stood since 1987. Golliday's jump, which sits her atop the Valley standings, places her in prime position to qualify for the NCAA West Preliminary round, as it ranks 11th in the region.
"Charde has made it no secret that she wanted to take down the long jump record and qualify for the NCAA West Preliminary Round this season," said Associate Head Coach Mary Wood. "After the indoor season, we knew that we needed to make some adjustments if these goals were going to be within reach, and her buy-in enabled her to accomplish what she did today. She took her game to the next level, and to see her achieve the goal that she set for herself was incredibly exciting. I am beyond proud of Charde. She has earned this."
IN THE FIELD
Golliday's success flooded over to the Redbird throwers, who excelled in their respective events as well. Julia Bourke and Sydney Laufenberg both notched personal-bests in the women's hammer throw en route to a pair of second-place finishes in the various sections of the event. Competing in the seeded flight, Bourke recorded a heave of 62.96m (206-07). Laufenberg posted a throw of 57.00m (187-00), a mark which was a four-meter personal-record. With their throws, Bourke and Laufenberg rank third and fourth, respectively, in Redbird track and field history.
Sam Weisz made his presence known in the seeded section of the men's hammer throw, capturing a personal-best of his own. His throw of 55.73m (182-10) was good for seventh place.
ON THE TRACK
Senior Demetria Anderson had a solid showing in the women's 100-meter hurdle prelims, winning her heat with a time of 13.82 to automatically qualify for tomorrow's finals.
Olivia Rossman also made her mark in the 100-meter hurdles, clocking in at a personal-best 15.92. This was not her only personal-record performance of the day, however, as Rossman also leaped a personal-best 5.40m (17-08.75) in the long jump.
OTHER NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
Unseeded Men's Long Jump
6th – Alex Saunders (6.75m/22-01.75), personal-best
7th – Nick Klecki (6.67m/21-10.75), personal-best
Unseeded Men's Hammer Throw
2nd – Zachary Gregory (53.77m/176-05)
Unseeded Women's Shot Put
8th – Hannah Johnson (13.87m/45-06.25)
UP NEXT
The Lenny Lyles-Clark Wood Invitational will resume tomorrow morning at 8 a.m. CT with the men's javelin competition. Action on the track will get underway at 11 a.m. CT with the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase. For fans who wish to follow along, live results will be provided and can be accessed on Twitter via @Redbird_TrackXC or on GoRedbirds.com.
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