NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State Track & Field is set to begin postseason competition with the MVC Outdoor Championships, hosted in Des Moines, Iowa by Drake University, on May 13-15. The Redbird women will look to repeat as outdoor champions, having won the team title for the last three seasons.
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
On the track, the Redbird men are led by Cecil Brownridge III (400m), Riley Wells (800m), Brandon Ratliff (110m Hurdles) and Cole Maguire (400m Hurdles), who each hold the league's top marks in their respective events. The men's 4x400m relay team of Junias Holmes Jr., Avery Lyons, Brownridge and Brandon Gage have also posted the league's fastest clocking on the season at 3:09.54. In the field, Ariel Atias (javelin/decathlon) and Elijah Williams (triple jump) hold MVC-leading marks.
The Illinois State women enter the MVC Outdoor Championships with 14 marks that currently rank in the top-3 in the MVC. Rachel Hickey leads the group with the fastest 800m and 1500m times on the season at 2:05.06 and 4:21.65, respectively. At the Billy Hayes Invitational, Hickey broke the school record in the 800m and ranks No. 16 in the NCAA West Region.
In the sprints, freshman Arianna Walker sits at No. 2 in the 200m dash and No. 3 in the 100m dash. Other Redbirds in the top-3 in their respective events include San'Toria Harris (400m dash), Ailey Mitchell (10,000m), Kenzie Klink (high jump), Carly Tucker (high jump), Windsor Roberts (pole vault), Macy Byer (discus), Zofia LeHew (javelin) and Gracie Jessup (heptathlon). The women's 4x100m relay team of Sa'Mone Winters, Bri Buggs, Madison Saunders, and Walker also ranks No. 3 in the MVC.
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, the Redbirds qualify eight student-athletes in nine events with more on the cusp.
10. Logan Calvin, shot put
16. Rachel Hickey, 800m
30. Cole Maguire, 400m Hurdles
35. Ariel Atias, javelin
37. Joe Boyer, shot put
38. Riley Wells, 800m
39. Brandon Ratliff, 110m Hurdles
40. Windsor Roberts, pole vault
45. Joe Boyer, discus
PRE-CHAMPIONSHIP POLL
Men's Poll
- Indiana State – 78 (7)
- Illinois State – 72 (1)
- UNI – 66 (1)
- Drake – 48
- Southern Illinois – 45
- Bradley – 40
- Loyola – 29
- Valparaiso – 14
- Evansville – 13
Women's Poll
- Indiana State – 94 (5)
- Illinois State – 93 (4)
- Southern Illinois – 81 (1)
- Bradley – 65
- UNI – 61
- Missouri State – 52
- Drake – 37
- Loyola – 37
- Evansville – 18
- Valparaiso – 12
MEET INFORMATION
For those who can't attend the MVC Championships, follow along on Twitter at @RedbirdTFXC for updates. Live results will also be available here. The meet will also be streamed live on ESPN3.
Friday Stream: https://es.pn/3yzF7Uf
Saturday Stream: https://es.pn/3woreFR
Sunday Stream: https://es.pn/3M7A7dw
UP NEXT
Following the MVC Outdoor Championships, student-athletes who qualify for the NCAA West Preliminary Championships will compete in Fayetteville, Arkansas from May 25-28.
For all the latest news on Redbird track & field and cross country, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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