NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State Track & Field will split squads between two meets for the final time this season, as the Redbirds are set to compete at the Drake Relays, from April 28-30 and Clark Wood Invitational, from April 29-30. Distance runners and a select group of sprinters and throwers will travel to Des Moines, Iowa while other student-athletes will compete at the Clark Wood Invitational.
REDBIRDS IN THE TOP-48
In order to qualify for the NCAA West Preliminary Round, you must rank among the best 48 student-athletes in your respective event in the West Region. Currently, five Redbird student-athletes qualify with more on the cusp.
9. Logan Calvin, shot put
33. Ariel Atias, javelin
36. Brandon Ratliff, 110m Hurdles
37. Ryan Ashenbremer, pole vault
45. Cole Maguire, 400m Hurdles
INDIANA & ILLINI INVITATIONALS
Last time out, majority of the Redbirds competed at the Illini Invitational, while a smaller group of distance runners ran at Indiana.
It was quite the weekend for redshirt sophomore Rachel Hickey, who notched two Illinois State all-time top-10 marks in the span of two days.
On Friday, Hickey clocked a time of 4:21.65 in the women's 1500m, more than three seconds faster than her previous personal best. Her time ranks No. 1 in the MVC, No. 2 in school history and No. 56 in the NCAA West Region. The following day, Hickey again set a new personal best, this time running a 2:07.36 in the women's 800m to win her heat and finish fourth overall. Hickey now ranks No. 3 in school history, No. 4 in the MVC and No. 59 in the West Region. For her performance, Hickey earned MVC Female Track Athlete of the Week honors.
In addition to Hickey, nine individuals and one relay squad cracked the ISU all-time top-10 list.
- Maddi Exline, 1500m – No. 6 in school history
- Jake Gillum, 1500m – No. 6 in school history
- Amni Austin, pole vault – No. 6 in school history
- Joe Boyer, shot put – No. 6 in school history
- Caroline Meyers, 5000m – No. 8 in school history
- Ailey Mitchell, 10,000m – No. 8 in school history
- Max Schweitzer, pole vault – No. 9 in school history
- Ali Cranston, pole vault – No. 9 in school history
- Zach Fiser, javelin – No. 10 in school history
- Holmes, Lyons, Brownridge, Gage, 4x400m relay – No. 7 in school history
MEET INFORMATION
For those who can't attend the Drake Relays or Clark Wood Invitational, follow along on Twitter at @RedbirdTFXC for updates. Live results for the Drake Relays are available here. A link to live results for the Clark Wood invitational will be posted on GoRedbirds.com when available.
UP NEXT
Following competition at the Drake Relays and Clark Wood Invitational, the Redbirds will close out the regular season at the Badger Invitational, hosted by Wisconsin on May 6, before turning their attention to postseason action.
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