CHICAGO, Ill. – The Illinois State track & field team wrapped up the Missouri Valley Conference Indoor Championships today. The women's squad came out on top with 130 points, 22 points ahead of the second-place team, Murray State. The men's squad finished second with 149 points behind Indiana State with 153 points.
This year's title for the women marks their fifth MVC Indoor Championship in six years.
Mye'Joi Williams made history today becoming the seventh women's student-athlete to win a MVC Championship title for shot put. Williams threw 15.89m (52-01.75 ft.), scoring ten points for the women.
After placing in the top-5 for weight throw on Sunday, Amiri Buchanan became the first male to win an MVC title in the shot put since 2014. Buchanan threw 18.46m (60-06.75 ft.).
As the second Redbird to earn the title, Brandon Ratliff clocked a 7.88 in the 60-meter hurdles on Monday securing the men's MVC Indoor Championship. Ratliff has earned All-Valley honors for this event three times, finally grabbing the title.
ALL-VALLEY
In addition to the three Redbirds who captured individual championships, 17 'Birds finished on the podium in their respective events. Three relay squads also earned All-Valley honors (Men's DMR, Women's DMR and men's 4x400m relay).
In her second appearance at the MVC Indoor Championships, Seven Hicks placed second in the 60-meter dash with a time of 7.44.
As a freshman, Enyinnaya Nwagwu ran the sixth fastest time in program history as he clocked a 21.50 to finish second.
In his first MVC Championship as a Redbird, Raydoffa Braziel earned a silver medal in the 400m. Braziel ran a personal-best time of 46.73 putting him third all-time in program history.
In 60m hurdles, Jaden Johnson clocked a personal best of 8.04 earning a bronze medal. Making her MVC debut, Corrina Courser finished third for the women.
Finishing 2-3 for the 'Birds in the women's mile run, Rachel Hickey clocked a time of 4:57.62 to earn second. Right behind her was Maddi Exline who clocked a time of 4:58.74. On the men's side, Joe Morrison earned All-Valley honors, clocking a 4:14.25 in the mile.
Riley Wells earned his third medal as a Redbird in the indoor 800m run. Clocking a time of 1:55.74, Wells earned a third-place finish for Illinois State. Rachel Hickey also placed third in the women's 800m run after she clocked a time of 2:12.35.
Leslie Fisher jumped a 14.49m (47-06.50 ft.) earning All-Valley honors in the men's triple jump for the first time. With that mark, Fisher placed third overall. For the women's triple jump, Madison Saunders and Danielle Taets went 2-3 on the podium. With a 12.11m (39-08.75 ft.) mark, Saunders earned second and Taets jumped a personal-best mark of 12.00m (39-04.50 ft.), placing third.
Ariel Atias scored 4,858 points in the heptathlon placing second. Atias has now earned All-Valley honors for the second time.
The men's 4x400m relay finished third the podium, as Jaylin Holmes, Junias Holmes, Enyinnaya Nwagwu and Raydoffa Braziel clocked a time of 3:14.65.
Sunday also had three podium finishes, which included, Taylor Kesner receiving a silver medal in the women's weight throw, Evan Pickard placing third in the men's pole vault and Melissa Parrella placing second in women's long jump.
OTHER MVC POINT SCORERS
The Redbirds were the only team in the 2023 MVC Indoor championships to score in every event.
4th – Sean Hopkins, 60m dash – 6.77
4th – Dewayne Johnson, 60m hurdles – 8.09
4th – Arianna Walker, 200m dash – 24.06
4th – Claire Fuhlhage, 3000m – 9:34.03
4th – Carly Tucker, high jump – 1.64m (5-04.5 ft.)
4th – Rob Pulliam, high jump – 2.07m (6-09.5 ft.)
4th – Joe Boyer, shot put – 17.56m (57 – 07.5 ft.)
5th – Seven Hicks, 200m dash – 24.40
5th – Michael Marrs, 200m dash – 21.93
5th – Nnenna Okpara, 400m dash – 56.34
5th – Joe Morrison, 800m run – 1:56.07
5th – Devin Turner, long jump – 7.13m (23-04.75 ft.)
5th – Windsor Roberts, pole vault – 3.95m (12-11.50 ft.)
6th – Lindsey Miller, 60m dash – 7.53
6th – Mathis Chavand, 3000m – 8:21.72
6th - Ailey Mitchel, 5000m – 17:01.04
6th – Sean Hopkins, triple jump – 14.18m (46-06.24 ft.)
7th – Jaylin Holmes, 60m dash – 6.88
7th – San 'Toria Harris, 400m dash – 56.95
7th – Garrett Slack, 800m run – 1:57.49
7th – Charlie Wetzel, 5000 – 14:27.65
7th – Rob Pulliam, long jump – 6.87m (22-06.5 ft.)
7th – Charles Cruze, pole vault – 4.60m (15-01 ft.)
7th – Amni Austin, pole vault – 3.85m (12-07.5 ft.)
7th – Taylor Kesner, shot put – 14.42m (47.03.75 ft.)
7th – Rachel Hickey, Destiny White, Bri Buggs, Nnenna Okpara, 4 x 400 relay – 3:52.39
8th – Nnenna Okpara, 200m dash – 25.72
8th – Caroline Meyers, 3000m – 9:50.58
8th – Caroline Meyers, 5000m – 17:01.56
8th – Kenzie Klink, high jump – 1.64m (5-04.50 ft.)
8th – Payton Taylor, shot put – 16.62m (54-.06.5 ft.)
QUOTES
Director of Track & Field/Cross Country, Jeff Bovee
"Incredibly proud of the men and women in this program. I want to share my gratitude to the coaching stuff, support staff and administration who work together to shape this group into champions on and off the track/field."
Assistant Coach, Deshaun Jordan
On Brandon Ratliff's performance:
"I'm proud of Brandon, he executed a great race. He has always been at the doorstep of being a champion and today was his day."
Assistant Coach, Amanada Youngblood
On Mye'Joi William's and Amiri Buchanan's performance:
"Mye'Joi and Amiri walked into the meet with intense focus and positive energy. Their titles are reflective of their consistent commitment to excellence, confidence and the massive support from the other throwers."
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