ST. LOUIS – Following standout performances in their respective events at Friday's Wisconsin Alumni Classic, hosted by Wisconsin, the Redbird Track and Field trio of Logan Calvin, Ariana Cranston, and Hattie Plumb were named Missouri Valley Conference Athletes of the Week, the league announced Tuesday.
This marks the third-consecutive week that two or more Redbirds have earned MVC weekly honors. Even more impressive, ISU has had at least one student-athlete receive recognition in five out of the seven weeks of the 2019 outdoor season.
Calvin, who earns the second weekly accolade of his career, was named the MVC Male Field Athlete of the Week after picking up a pair of personal-bests in the discus (52.17m/171-02) and hammer throw (56.00m/183-09) at Friday's Wisconsin Alumni Classic. Calvin placed fourth and seventh in the respective events, also adding a third-place finish in the shot put with a throw of 17.68m (58-00.25). Of the three events in which he competed, Calvin's discus toss was particularly impressive, as it ranks seventh all-time in Redbird history, third in the MVC, and 68th in the NCAA West Region. Calvin enters this weekend's MVC Championship ranked in the top-five in the Valley in three events: discus (third), shot put (fourth), and hammer (fifth).
Cranston, who also received the second weekly honor of her career, earned the title of MVC Female Field Athlete of the Week after clearing a lifetime personal-best 4.04m (13-03.00) in the women's pole vault to place second among 13 vaulters. Cranston's mark, which improves her to second all-time in Illinois State history, leads the Valley by over a foot! Her clearance also puts her in prime position to qualify for the NCAA West Preliminary Round, as it ranks 40th in the West Region. The 2018 MVC Outdoor and 2019 MVC Indoor Champion in the pole vault, Cranston will look to make it three-straight this weekend.
Plumb, who was named the MVC Female Track Athlete of the Week, garners the second weekly accolade of her career. At Friday's Wisconsin Alumni Classic, Plumb built great momentum in her final race before this weekend's MVC Championship, winning the 800-meter with a lifetime personal-best time of 2:07.69. With the mark, Plumb not only improved to fifth all-time in ISU history, but she currently leads the Valley and ranks 50th in the NCAA West Region. The reigning 2019 MVC Indoor 800-meter Champion, Plumb will look to defend her Valley crown this weekend.
The 2019 MVC Outdoor Track and Field Championships, hosted by Indiana State, will be held on May 10-12 in Terre Haute, Indiana. More information on the championship meet will be posted on GoRedbirds.com later this week.
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