In the final day of competition, Jack Anstey wrapped up the NCAA West Preliminary Round for the Redbirds with a career performance in the 1,500-meter run, punching his ticket to the NCAA Championships in Austin, Texas. Anstey's time of 3:41.81 was not only a personal-best for the junior but also an Illinois State school record. The previous record of 3:42.19 was set by MVC Hall-of-Famer and NCAA All-American Christian Goy in 2001 and had stood untouched for 18 years.
"Jack had a fantastic close, running a 56-second last 400-meters to advance in a race with lots of amazing athletes, including the defending NCAA champion," said Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Jeff Bovee. "He was running right with him all the way up until the final turn, and still drove it home to punch his ticket. I'm extremely proud of him."
This is Anstey's first time advancing to the NCAA Championships, after failing to make it out of the West Preliminary Round the previous two years. He fell just short of advancing in the same event last year, finishing 14th in the West Prelims quarterfinals with a time of 3:44.96. The top 12 competitors in each event advance.
The Newtown Toowoomba, Australia native already has a Missouri Valley Conference indoor mile, outdoor 800-meter and outdoor 1,500-meter championship on his resume and looks to add to his already decorated career as a Redbird in Austin, Texas.
Anstey will join junior Sydney Laufenberg (discus) and sophomore Kameesha Smith (high jump) to compete and represent Illinois State on the NCAA's biggest stage when they travel to Austin, Texas, for the 2019 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships, June 5-8. The three Redbirds advancing marks the most individuals that have advanced to the NCAA Outdoor Championships during Bovee's tenure.
"I'm really proud of Meesha and Sydney," said Bovee. "To get two women in for the first time in awhile, and to get three athletes total to qualify for the championships -Â that's our highest number in a number of years. I feel really pleased that we brought 17 student-athletes down and have three still moving on. Overall, a great weekend for the 'Birds."
More information will be available on Illinois State's NCAA Championship-bound Redbirds on GoRedbirds.com during the upcoming week.
Other Notable Performances:
Men's Shot Put
31st – Logan Calvin (18.13m/59-05.75)
Women's Shot Put
26th – Tayler Weaver (15.50m/50-10.25) – personal best
30th – Kassie Hoyme (15.33m/50-03.50) – personal best
32nd – Brandy Thomas (15.28m/50-01.75)
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).
GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App: Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
