NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State track & field teams will travel to Champaign, Illinois this weekend, Jan. 21-22, for the Illini Invitational. The Illini Invitational will mark the first of four meets that the 'Birds are set to compete in at Illinois across the indoor and outdoor seasons. The action from the UI Armory will begin on Friday with the men's pentathlon and women's heptathlon, starting at 2:00 p.m. CT. On Saturday, individual events will begin at 9:30 a.m. CT.
COMPETING AT ILLINOIS
The Redbirds have not competed in Champaign since the 2018-19 indoor season. At the meet, Luke Nelson, then a junior, broke the Illinois State school record in the men's pole vault, as he cleared 5.29m (17-4.25 ft.) to win the event. The record still stands to this day.
In addition to Nelson's win in the pole vault, current Redbirds Destiny White (400m dash) and Logan Calvin (shot put) captured individual event wins at the meet. Senior Rachel Hickey also contributed to a first-place finish in the women's 4x400m relay. Nick Swartzendruber, Brandon Gage and Avery Lyons ran legs of the men's 4x400m relay team that also emerged victorious.
This weekend, Illinois State is set to compete against Illinois, Wisconsin, Northern Illinois, Chicago State and Illinois-Chicago.
COUGHLAN-MALLOY CUP
For the fourth season in a row, Illinois State track & field hoisted the Coughlan-Malloy Cup after defeating Indiana State in the annual dual, 153-147, last weekend.
The Redbird women won eight individual events on the day, in addition to a first-place finish in the 4x400m relay. On the men's side, Illinois State captured five event wins in total, as redshirt senior thrower Logan Calvin and fifth year Jake Gillum each set meet records in their respective events.
Picking up where he left off in 2021, Calvin won both the men's weight throw and shot put on the day. With a mark of 20.79m (68-2.5 ft.), Calvin won the weight throw and set a new meet record in the event. His mark ranks No. 7 in the NCAA and No. 1 in the Valley. Calvin also won the men's shot put, his second event of the day, with a mark of 18.39m (60-4 ft.).
On the oval, Gillum broke the meet record in the men's mile run, clocking in with a time of 4:08.15 to win the race. His converted time of 4:05.03 ranks No. 2 in the Valley and No. 26 in the NCAA.
For the second meet in a row, pole vaulter Amni Austin set a new personal best in the event. Her clearance of 3.76m (12-4 ft.) moved her into sole possession of the sixth best mark in program history. She finished second overall.
Other event winners included Logan Calvin (weight throw), Ryan Ashenbremer (pole vault), Brandon Ratliff (60m hurdles), Riley Wells (800m run), Hannah Johnson (weight throw), Batya Butler (shot put), Kameesha Smith (high jump), Mya Robinson (60m hurdles), Seven Hicks (60m dash), Arianna Walker (200m dash), Audrey Harrod (800m run) and Rachel Hickey (mile run)
MEET INFORMATION
Spectators are allowed in the UI Armory. Masks are required. All attendees ages 12 and up will be required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test or COVID-19 vaccination record to enter the facility. For those who can't attend the Illini Invitational, follow along on Twitter at @RedbirdTFXC for updates. Live results and a stream will also be available.
Live Results: https://bit.ly/3qLjJXI
Live Stream: https://bit.ly/3qOdanA
UP NEXT
Following the Illini Invitational, the Redbirds will be back in action next weekend when they travel to Louisville, Kentucky for the PNC Lenny Lyles Invitational, hosted by Louisville, on Saturday, Jan. 29.
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