AUSTIN, Texas – A trio of Illinois State track and field standouts have punched their tickets to compete at the 2019 NCAA Men's and Women's Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Austin, Texas, this weekend and each is ready to make their mark at Mike A. Myers Stadium from June 5-8.
All four days of the championships will be available to live stream on ESPN, ESPNU or ESPN3.
Jack Anstey, Jr., Newtown Toowoomba, Australia (Toowoomba State HS) – 1,500-meter (Wednesday 4:16 p.m. CST Semifinal)
•   Anstey posted a career-best performance in the 1,500-meter run at the NCAA West Preliminary Round to punch his ticket to the NCAA Championships ... his time of 3:41.81 was not only a personal-best 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 … he heads into the race ranked No. 9 overall.
•   It was Anstey's third appearance at the NCAA West Preliminary Round and his second competing in the 1500-meter run.
•   The Australian won the men's 800-meter run with a time of 1:49.82 at the MVC Championships … he now has an indoor mile, outdoor 800-meter and outdoor 1,500-meter championship on his resume.
•   His previous 1,500-meter personal-best time of 3:42.83 was captured at the Bryan Clay Invite in Azusa, California.
Sydney Laufenberg, Jr., Clinton, Iowa (Clinton HS) – Discus (Saturday 5:05 p.m. CST)
•   Laufenberg threw for a mark of 55.28m (181-04) to finish 11th in her third appearance at the NCAA West Preliminary Round to secure her spot at the NCAA Championship … she heads into the meet ranked No. 15 overall in the field.
•   The junior is a two-time MVC champion in the discus and currently holds the school record of 56.99m (187-00), having set it at the Ole Miss Classic on March 30.
•   On March 30, Laufenberg tossed for 56.99m (187-00) at the Ole Miss Classic, not only securing her a spot in the NCAA West Preliminary Round, but also breaking the school record that had previously stood for 21 years, set in 1998 by Angie Joy.
Kameesha Smith, So., South Holland, Ill. (Thornwood HS) – High Jump (Saturday 5 p.m. CST)
•   Smith cleared 1.75m (5-08.75) to finish in a three-way tie for 10th place at the NCAA West Preliminary Round to qualify for the NCAA Championships … she ranks No. 20 heading into the championships in the event.
•   Her 1.78m (5-10.00) qualifying mark in high jump for the NCAA West Preliminary Round was posted at the Pacesetter Sports Invite on April 20.
•   The sophomore was a big winner at the MVC Outdoor Championships, clearing 1.76m (5-09.25) in the high jump event to win the first MVC title of her career.
More information regarding the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships will be available on GoRedbirds.com during the upcoming week. 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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