DES MOINES, Iowa – Illinois State Track & Field concluded competition at the Drake Relays and Clark Wood Invitational on Sunday, as two Redbirds and one relay squad set program all-time top-10 marks in their respective events.
DRAKE RELAYS CONCLUDE
Opening the day in Des Moines, the women's Distance Medley Relay team of Maddi Exline, Jaclyn Greci, Audrey Harrod and Rachel Hickey finished seventh overall with a time of 11:32.17. That time ranks fourth in Illinois State program history.
In the stacked women's 4x100m relay field, the Illinois State women's team of Sa'Mone Winters, Bri Buggs, Madison Saunders and Arianna Walker finished third in a time of 46.09 after coming into the race seeded eighth.
In the men's 4x400m invitational relay, the Redbirds finished fifth overall in a time of 3:13.28, besting Big Ten schools Purdue and Michigan in the windy conditions.
COMPETITION WRAPS AT CLARK WOOD INVITATIONAL
For the second week in a row, sophomore pole vaulter Amni Austin set a personal best in the event, as she cleared 3.91m (12-10) to finish fourth in the field. Austin now ranks No. 2 in the MVC this season, No. 4 in school history and No. 56 in the West Region.
Zofia LeHew was another highlight down in Louisville, as she threw a huge personal best in the women's javelin at 44.19m (144-11). Her throw ranks No. 2 in the MVC on the season and No. 5 in school history.
Freshman Elijah Williams leapt to a new personal best in the men's triple jump with a mark of 14.81m (48-7.25). Williams finished fifth overall, as he now leads the MVC in the event and ranks No. 50 in the West Region.
In the women's triple jump, sophomore Danielle Taets took home a third-place finish as she jumped to a season best of 11.83m (38-9.75). The mark was just shy of her personal best and currently ranks No. 3 in the MVC on the season.
Sophomore Ariel Atias captured the 'Birds second event win down in Louisville, as he took first in the men's javelin with a throw of 57.37m (188-2). It was Atias' second farthest mark of the season behind his 63.64m (208-9) performance at the Texas Relays.
In the women's high jump, freshman Kenzie Klink and sophomore Carly Tucker each cleared 1.71m (5-7.25) to either set or match their personal best in the event. The duo finished third and fifth, respectively.
Other notable finishes included seniors Hannah Johnson and Ryan Ashenbremer. Johnson threw a season best in the women's shot put, tossing 14.47m (47-5.75) to finish third overall. Ashenbremer finished as the top Redbird in the men's pole vault, as he cleared 4.98m (16-4) to place fifth.
UP NEXT
The Redbirds will wrap up the regular season with the Badger Invitational, scheduled for Friday, May 6 before shifting focus to the postseason, beginning with the MVC Outdoor Championships.
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