NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State track & field program is set to travel to Allendale, Michigan for the Grand Valley State Big Meet on Friday, Feb. 11. The action from the Kelly Family Sports Center will begin at 8:00 a.m. CT with the men's 5000m race.
For the second week in a row, a smaller group of Redbirds will remain in Bloomington-Normal to compete at the Titan Open, hosted by Illinois Wesleyan, on Feb. 12, beginning at 10:30 a.m. CT. Visiting spectators are not permitted to attend the Titan Open.
GVSU BIG MEET
The Redbirds last competed at GVSU during the 2021 indoor season. At the meet, Kameesha Smith broke Illinois State's 29-year-old indoor women's high jump record with a clearance of 1.82m (5-11.5 ft.). At the time, the mark led the Valley and ranked sixth in the nation. Smith went on to qualify for the NCAA Indoor Championships, where she earned Second Team All-America honors for the second time in her career.
Then a freshman, Mye'Joi Williams also captured first in the women's shot put with a personal best throw of 14.95m (49-0.75 ft.).
LAST TIME OUT
On the first day of the Meyo Invite, seniors Audrey Harrod and Nick Swartzendruber each set personal bests in the 600m races. With a time of 1:32.22, Harrod finished sixth overall and moved up to third in program history in the event. On the men's side, Swartzendruber ran a 1:19.45 to improve his personal best time, as he continues to hold the fourth fastest mark in school history.
In the throwing circle, redshirt senior Logan Calvin was the runner-up in the men's shot put, as he set an indoor personal best with a throw of 19.01m (62-4.5 ft.). The mark is the second best in school history and currently ranks No. 2 in the MVC and No. 24 in the NCAA.
Calvin also finished seventh in a stacked men's weight throw field on day one. Calvin's toss of 20.03m (65-8.75 ft.) marked the second time this season that he has thrown over 65 feet.
Back on the track, senior Rachel Hickey finished seventh in the deep women's mile field, crossing the finish line in a time of 4:45.52. Her time was a five-second personal best and currently leads the Valley. Hickey also moved up in the Illinois State record book, passing six former Redbirds to earn the third fastest time in school history.
At the Illinois Wesleyan Keck Select, Chase Knoblett was victorious in the men's heptathlon, finishing ahead of three of his fellow teammates. With a personal-best total score of 4,473 points, Knoblett now holds the ninth-best performance in school history. Knoblett also set a personal best in the pole vault, clearing 3.65m (11-11.75 ft.)
MEET INFORMATION
For those who can't attend the GVSU Big Meet or Titan Open, follow along on Twitter at @RedbirdTFXC for updates. Live results will also be available.
GVSU Big Meet: https://bit.ly/3rEvFuN
Titan Open: https://bit.ly/3uKxEQi
UP NEXT
Following the GVSU Big Meet and Titan Open, the Redbirds will hit the road for their final regular season meets of the indoor campaign, making return trips to both Illinois and Notre Dame for the Illini Classic (Feb. 18) and Alex Wilson Invite (Feb. 19), respectively.
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