OXFORD, Miss. – Fifth-year senior Jack Anstey rose to the occasion on day two of the Joe Walker Invitational, taking down three records and achieving an NCAA West Preliminary Round qualifying time in the 1,500-meter run.
Anstey, who placed eighth overall with his time of 3:39.17, has now broken the 1,500-meter school record three times, twice just this season. With that time, Anstey leads the Missouri Valley Conference and broke the Valley record in the 1,500m for the second time this year. In a deep field where the top-eight finishers all ran sub-3:40 and broke the Ole Miss Track facility record, Anstey's time was the second-fastest time in the NCAA West Region and the ninth-fastest time in the NCAA, currently.
Three other Redbirds joined Anstey in achieving top-10 marks in school history on day two, including fellow fifth-year, Jordyn Bruce. Wrapping up the final three events on the heptathlon today, Bruce overcame the 5,000-point barrier in the seven-event competition for the first time in her career. Bruce's 5,004-point total moved her up to the No. 9 spot all-time in Redbird track & field history and currently is No. 17 in the NCAA West Region rankings.
On the track, Rachel Hickey, who is competing in her first outdoor season for the Redbirds, was able to crack the 800-meter top-10 list outdoors for the first time, recording an outdoor personal-best time of 2:09.98 – the third-best time in the Valley this year. Hurdler Brandon Ratliff has continued to make improvements meet after meet this year, running a personal-best time of 14.30 seconds to place second in the 110-meter hurdles today. That time is the fastest in the Valley this season and improves his No. 6 time in school history.
Middle distance runners Audrey Harrod and Jake Gillum fell just short of the Illinois State outdoor top-10 with the duo each running times right outside the list in their respective events. Senior Jake Gillum ran a five-second personal best in the 1,500-meter run, clocking in at 3:47.75, while Harrod's time of 2:10.27 was a two-second personal best in the 800-meter run. Gillum's time is the third-fastest in the Valley this year and Harrod is currently fourth.
Beyond the top-10 list, Logan Calvin (discus), Kristin Higgins (high jump) and Charde Golliday (long jump) each won their events today. Calvin secured the win in the discus with a throw of 51.50 meters (168-11.75 ft.) to get his second win of the weekend, after taking first in the shot put yesterday.
Continuing ISU's 2021 outdoor winning streak in the high jump, Higgins cleared 1.70 meters (5-7 ft.) to give the 'Birds their third-straight first-place finish in the high jump this season. Golliday's top finish in the triple jump was her first event win of the season and her best mark (11.86m/38-11 ft.) in the triple jump since the 2020 MVC Indoor Championships.
ISU TOP-10 PERFORMANCES ON DAY 2
1. Jack Anstey – 1,500-meter run, 3:39.17
6. Brandon Ratliff – 110-meter hurdles, 14.30 seconds
8. Rachel Hickey – 800-meter run, 2:09.98
9. Jordyn Bruce – heptathlon, 5,004 points
DAY 2 PERSONAL-BEST PERFORMANCES
Brandon Ratliff, 110-meter hurdles, 14.30 seconds
Rachel Hickey, 800-meter run, 2:09.98*
Audrey Harrod, 800-meter run, 2:10.27
Alexa Tarohocker, 800-meter run (hept.), 2:48.89
Jack Anstey, 1,500-meter run, 3:39.17
Jake Gillum, 1,500-meter run, 3:47.75
Lucas Capistrant, 5,000-meter run, 14:56.79
Jordyn Bruce, heptathlon, 5,004 points
Catie Daily, discus, 47.49 meters (156-9 ft.)
Mye'Joi Williams, discus, 43.01 meters (141-1 ft.)
Aneel Gillan, discus (dec.), 31.38 meters (102-11 ft.)
Aneel Gillan, javelin (dec.), 34.48 meters (113-1 ft.)
*indicates outdoor personal-best only
CURRENT REDBIRDS IN THE NCAA WEST REGION TOP-32
2. Jack Anstey, 1,500-meter run
5. Grace Beattie, 3,000-meter steeplechase
11. Sydney Laufenberg, discus
13. Logan Calvin, shot put
14. Grace Beattie, 5,000-meter run
17. Jordyn Bruce, heptathlon
21. Julia Bourke, hammer throw
25. Kristin Higgins, high jump
29. Logan Calvin, hammer throw
32. Jordan Wood, 3,000-meter steeplechase
32. Grace Daun, high jump
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