NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State Track & Field concluded competition of its final home meet of the season, the Redbird Challenge, on Saturday, as seven Redbirds notched program all-time top-10 marks at the meet.
Sophomore Ariel Atias came up just short of the Illinois State decathlon record with his performance on the weekend. His total score of 7,231 ranks No. 2 in school history, No. 16 in the West Region and No. 22 in the NCAA.
Assistant coach DeShaun Jordan's sprints squad had a strong day at the Challenge, led by fast times in the 100m dashes. On the men's side, freshman Devin Turner and junior Junias Holmes Jr. ran times of 10.44 and 10.49, respectively. With that, Turner and Holmes now rank No. 7 and No. 10 in school history. They also sit at No. 2 and No. 3 in the MVC. Turner captured his second win of the day, as he placed first in the 200m dash with a time of 21.71.
Freshman Arianna Walker torched the track with a time of 11.67 in the women's 100m dash to take the victory. Her time ranks No. 2 in the MVC, No. 7 in school history and No. 45 in the NCAA West Region.
Junior Cole Maguire clocked a personal best in the men's 400m hurdles with a time of 52.25 to win. Maguire's time ranks No. 1 in the MVC, No. 5 in school history and No. 37 in the NCAA West Region.
For the second weekend in a row, sophomore Joe Boyer won the men's discus competition, tossing 50.35m (165-2 ft.). Boyer also took home a third-place finish in the shot put with a throw of 17.04m (55-11 ft.), which ranks No. 5 in the MVC and No. 9 in school history.
In the women's discus, sophomore Macy Byer set a season best, throwing 48.41m (158-10 ft.) to take home first place. Her mark ranks No. 3 in the MVC.
It was a Redbird sweep of the shot put competitions as senior Logan Calvin and sophomore Batya Butler won for the men and women, respectively. Calvin tossed 18.83m (61-9.5 ft.) for the win. Butler led the Redbird women to a 1-4 finish, tossing 14.18m (46-6.25 ft.).
In her first heptathlon completion ever, freshman Gracie Jessup came out as the top dog, scoring a total of 4,073 points.
The Redbirds also swept the men's and women's pole vault competitions. Freshman Windsor Roberts and sophomore Amni Austin finished 1-2 for the Illinois State women and each cracked the program top-10 list. Windsor's clearance of 3.85m (12-7.5 ft.) now ranks No. 2 in the MVC and No. 6 in school history. Austin's clearance of 3.70m (12-1.5 ft.), now No. 3 in the MVC and is tied for No. 9 in school history.
On the men's side, senior Ryan Ashenbremer captured the win as he cleared 5.05m (16-6.75 ft.). It's the fourth competition in a row that Ashenbremer has cleared above 5.00m.
In addition to running a leg of the women's 4x100m relay, freshman Madison Saunders leapt to a personal best in the triple jump to finish second. Her mark of 12.03m (39-5.75 ft.) (w/2.8) is the second best in the MVC on the season.
Sophomore San'Toria Harris and senior Jaclyn Greci placed first and second, respectively, in the women's 400m dash. With times of 54.90 and 55.56, Harris and Greci now rank No. 2 and No. 3 in the Valley.
The Redbirds also swept the men's and women's 4x100m relays. The women's squad of Sa'Mone Winters, Bri Buggs, Madison Saunders and Arianna Walker finished with and MVC-leading time of 45.71 to capture the win.
On the men's side, Illinois State's group of Junias Holmes Jr., Brandon Gage, John Bickel and Devin Turner clocked a time of 41.19 to complete the Redbird sweep.
In the women's long jump, freshman Atleigh Hamilton won the event with a mark of 5.57m (18-3.25 ft.).
In the men's 5000m, senior Jake Gillum and junior Matt Blanco finished 1-2 for the Redbirds and each set personal bests with times of 14:37.08 and 14:43.58, respectively.
QUOTES
Director of Track & Field/Cross Country, Jeff Bovee
On the men's performance:
"We really had some breakout 100m performances by Junias and Devin. Those guys look really great, especially considering the cooler temperatures. Same with Cole in the long hurdles. He looked fantastic. I was really pleased with Jake Gillum and Matt Blanco in the 5000m, each with huge personal bests. In the throws, those guys are responding very well. Joe had a fantastic meet following up from last week. Ariel also just missed the school record in his first decathlon as a Redbird. Overall, I thought we had a really good day for the men."
On the women's performance:
"On the women's side, Arianna looked very strong in the 100m in only her second race of the season. In the 400m, we were finally able to get the long sprinters out there in their signature event. That was really good to see how well Tori and Jacki did there. In the pole vault, it was great to see a local product in Windsor come out and perform at a high level. She could be a difference maker for our women's squad as we wrap up the outdoor campaign. It was great to see a win by Atleigh in the long jump, and Madison Saunders had a big personal best in the triple jump. She ran in the 4x100m, as well, and I think that speed she id developing on the relays is paying off on the runway."
On honoring the seniors:
"More than anything, our 21 seniors have had an amazing last four or five years at Illinois State. I'm really grateful for all their contributions to our program, both on and off the track. As I told them, there's still a lot they can do in the next four to six weeks. They are a very special group and it was great to honor them today."
UP NEXT
The Redbird will split groups between the Indiana Invitational, on April 22, and Illini Invitational, on April 23.
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