CHICAGO, Ill. – Redshirt senior Logan Calvin captured the first MVC championship of his career while the men's and women's Distance Medley Relay squads brought home gold to sweep the event on the first day of the MVC Indoor Championships.
In his final MVC indoor meet as a Redbird, Calvin was the sole individual champion from day one, as he tossed 20.20m (66-3.25 ft.) to win the weight throw. Calvin won his first MVC championship with the win, following up on a fourth-place finish at last year's meet. Calvin became the first Redbird to win the event on the men's side since 2014.
Capping off day one on a high note, the Redbirds swept both the men's and women's DMR. Clocking a time of 11:40.37, the Illinois State relay team of Claire Fuhlhage, Audrey Harrod, Maddi Exline and Rachel Hickey shattered the previous meet record with a come-from-behind victory. Their time now ranks fourth in school history
A strong opening leg in the men's DMR from Joe Morrison put the Redbirds in the lead from the start, as Nick Swartzendruber, Riley Wells and Jake Gillum held steady to win the championship relay. With a time of 9:54.09, the relay squad ran the fastest time at an MVC Championship meet since 1999 and now hold the fifth-fastest time in school history.
The Redbirds swept both relays for the first time in MVC championship history.
ALL-VALLEY
In addition to the Redbirds who captured championships on day one, four student-athletes also earned All-Valley honors with top-3 finishes.
In the men's pole vault, Ryan Ashenbremer and Max Schweitzer finished second and third, respectively, to tally 14 team points. With clearances of 5.05m (16-6.75 ft.), Ashenbremer was two centimeters away from his season best, while Schweitzer set a massive personal best that ranks seventh in school history.
Freshman Atleigh Hamilton made quite the debut in her first MVC championship appearance, as she earned All-Valley honors in the women's long jump. Hamilton set a personal best with a leap of 5.64m (18-6 ft.) to finish second.
Amni Austin reached the podium in the women's pole vault, placing third in the event with a personal best clearance of 3.81m (12-6 ft.) in just her second MVC indoor appearance. Austin also holds the sixth-best mark in program history
MOVING ON IN THE FINALS
In total, 19 Redbirds advanced in their respective finals on the track. In the mile race, Hickey qualified with the fourth-fastest prelim time. On the men's side, both Redbirds – Jake Gillum and Charles Murphy – advanced.
A trio of 'Birds qualified for the men's and women's 60m hurdles finals. Clocking the fastest prelim time, Mya Robinson advanced for the women while Brandon Ratliff and Jaden Johnson advanced for the men.
In the 400m dashes, five Redbirds managed to punch their ticket to Monday's final. The women will be represented by Jaclyn Greci and Destiny White, while the men will be represented by Cecil Brownridge III, Brandon Gage and Nick Swartzendruber. In the prelim, Brownridge clocked a leading time of 48.04 seconds, which is now the seventh-fastest time in school history.
Freshman sprinter Arianna Walker advanced in both the women's 60m dash and 200m dash, clocking personal best in both events on the day at 7.57 and 24.34, respectively. Walker's time in the 200m dash ranks sixth in school history. Along with Walker, Sa'Mone Winters also qualified in the 60m dash.
As a freshman, Devin Turner advanced in the men's 60m dash and 200m dash. Junias Holmes Jr. joins Turner in qualifying for the men's 200m dash.
Four student-athletes qualified in the 800m races. Maddi Exline and Audrey Harrod will represent the Illinois State women, while Joe Morrison and Riley Wells will represent the Redbird men.
OTHER MVC POINT SCORERS
4th - Gracie Jessup, pentathlon – 3,135 points
4th – Amiri Buchanan, weight throw – 19.22m (63-0.75 ft.)
5th – Kameesha Smith, long jump– 5.54m (18-02.25 ft.)
5th – Sam Peschke, pole vault – 4.70m (15-5 ft.)
6th – Luke Nelson, pole vault – 4.70m (15-5 ft.)
7th – Ali Cranston, pole vault – 3.71m (12-2 ft.)
7th – Maddie Wright, pole vault – 3.71m (12-2 ft.)
8th – Brittney Oakley, long jump– 5.38m (17-8.0 ft.)
8th – Alexa Tarohocker, pentathlon – 2,999 points
TEAM STANDINGS
Through five events scored, the Redbird men sit in second place with 46 total points behind Indiana State. Through six events on the women's side, Illinois State sits in third behind Indiana State and Southern Illinois with 38 points.
QUOTES
Director of Track & Field/Cross Country, Jeff Bovee
On the DMR performance:
"Great way to end the night with a double win in the DMR. Tomorrow, our goal will be to compete for two conference team titles and two more relay wins. Strong day for us overall but will need to follow up with a repeat performance tomorrow.
On Logan Calvin's performance:
"Super happy for Logan Calvin. Well-deserved win and hard fought as the throws events are very deep in the MVC"
UP NEXT
The Redbirds continue competition tomorrow at the MVC Indoor Championships, beginning at 9:30 a.m. CT.
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