CHICAGO, Ill – Illinois State track & field completes day one of the Missouri Valley Conference Championships with five events standing on the podium.
Taylor Kesner finishes with All-Valley honors placing second in the weight throw today. Kesner threw a new personal best of 20.05m (65-09.0 ft.).
In her first MVC championship appearance as a Redbird, Melissa Parrella jumps a 5.83m (19-01.50 ft.) capturing second place in long jump.
Men's pole vault also received All-Valley, with Evan Pickard clearing 4.75m (15-07.0 ft.) to take home third place.
Both women's and men's distance medley relay had All-Valley performances today. The women clocked a time of 11:49.90, the relay team of Claire Fuhlhage, Maggie Reed, Destiny White and Mattison Plummer placed second.
An impressive performance by the men's squad as well. Riley Wells, Garrett Slack, Edward Watkins and Mathis Chavand ran a 10:09.10 placing third.
MOVING ON IN THE FINALS
In total, 22 student-athletes advanced in their events to the finals.
In the mile, Rachel Hickey, Mattison Plummer and Maddi Exline all advanced for the women. For the men, Joe Morrison advanced in the mile.
The 60-meter hurdles were another successful event with four athletes advancing to the finals. On the men's side Brandon Ratliff, Jaden Johnson and DeWayne Johnson will compete in the finals. Representing the women will be Corrina Courser.
A trio of 'Birds qualified for the men's and women's 400-meter dash. Raydoffa Braziel ran a 46.85, which puts him third in program history, advancing for the men while Nnenna Okpara and San'Toria Harris advanced for the women.
Okpara also advanced in the 200m dash, along with Seven Hicks who ran a personal best of 24.34 and Arianna Walker. For the men, the 200m was full of personal best, freshman Enyinnaya Nwagwu ran a 21.56 and Michael Marrs to put himself eighth in program history clocking a 21.78, both advancing to the finals.
As a freshman, Jaylin Holmes advanced in the men's 60m dash. Sean Hopkins will join him advancing as well. For the women, Seven Hicks and freshman, Lindsey Miller will advance.
Four Redbirds managed to punch their ticket to Monday's final in the 800m. Representing the women will be Rachel Hickey, while the men will be represented by Joe Morrison, Garrett Slack and Riley Wells.
OTHER MVC POINT SCORES
4th – Devin Turner, men's long jump – 7.13m (23-04.75 ft.)
5th – Windsor Robert, women's pole vault – 3.95m (12-11.50 ft.)
5th – Amiri Buchanan, men's weight throw – 19.48m (63-11 ft.)
6th – Ailey Mitchell, women's 5,000 run – 17:01.04
6th – Gracie Jessup, pentathlon - 3,255 points
7th – Charles Cruze, men's pole vault – 4.60m (15-01.0 ft.)
7th – Amni Austin, women's pole vault – 3.85m (12-07.50 ft.)
7th – Charlie Wetzel, men's 5,000 run – 14:27.86
7th – Rob Pulliam, men's long jump – 6.87m (22-06.60 ft.)
8th – Caroline Meyers, women's 5,000 run – 17:01.56
8th – Kiley Sanders, pentathlon – 3,229 points
TEAM STANDINGS
After the five scored events, Redbird men are sitting at fifth place with 27 points, with Indiana State in the lead with 44 points. Through six scored events Illinois State women are sitting at third place with 38 points, behind Murray State with 44 and Indiana State with 40.
QUOTES
Director of Track & Field/Cross Country, Jeff Bovee
"There were many good performances that highlighted the day. Taylor Kesner, Melissa Parrella, Evan Pickard, men's DMR and women's DMR really set the tone for tomorrow."
"We are still in a good place for tomorrow with many chances score tomorrow."
On Taylor Kesner's performance:
"Taylor Kesner had a strong performance today with a big improvement on the weight."
On the DMR performance:
"Claire Fuhlhage had a great performance as the anchor in the DMR. She brought the squad from seventh to second place. She had the race of her life right there."
On Melissa Parrella's performance:
"Melissa had a super strong performance in long jump, helping carry the women today."
UP NEXT
The Redbirds continue competition tomorrow at the MVC Indoor Championships, beginning at 9:30 a.m. CT.
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