Illinois State Women Picked to Win MVC Outdoor Season, Men’s team Picked to Place Second

NORMAL, Ill. - The Illinois State women's outdoor track & field team was picked to win the Missouri Valley Conference and the men were picked to place second, as selected by the conference's head coaches and announced Thursday.  

The ISU women received 140 points, 14 points ahead of Indiana State to secure the top spot in the 12-team pool while the men received 88 points, eight points behind Indiana State in a 10-team pool. Last season the women took home the MVC Title and the men finished second in 2021-2022.  

Illinois State returns five outdoor MVC Individual Champions going into the season. 800m MVC Champion Riley Wells returns and is hoping to win his fourth 800m title after breaking Illinois State 800m record during the indoor season. 

Ariel Atias will also return for the 'Birds, who currently holds the program record in the heptathlon and decathlon. Atias is also the reigning MVC Champion for the javelin.  

The Redbirds also return San'Toria Harris, who won the 400m championship title during last year's outdoor MVC Championships.  

After becoming the first woman to win the 10K MVC Championship title in 20 years for the Redbirds, Ailey Mitchell will be showing out for the 'Birds this season as well.  

Additionally, Illinois State returns three student-athletes who won championship titles at the 2023 Indoor MVC Championships.  

• Brandon Ratliff – 60-meter hurdles  

• Mye'Joi Williams – shot put 

• Amiri Buchanan – shot put 

ISU also returns numerous All-Valley performers from its 2021-2022 squads.  

Both squads open their 2023 outdoor season at the EIU Big Blue Meet on March 24. Illinois State will host the outdoor Missouri Valley Championships May 12-May 14 at the Redbird Track and Field Complex.  

FULL POLL (WOMEN'S) 

1. Illinois State – 140 

2. Indiana State – 126  

3. Murray State – 124  

4. Southern Illinois – 98  

5. Bradley – 96  

6. Northern Iowa – 82 

7. Missouri State – 70 

8. Belmont – 68 

9. Drake – 61 

10. UIC – 36 

11. Valparaiso – 24 

12. Evansville - 14 

FULL POLL (MEN'S) 

1. Indiana State – 96 

2. Illinois State – 88 

3. Northern Iowa – 80 

4. Southern Illinois – 72 

5. Drake – 57  

6. Bradley – 57 

7. Belmont – 40 

8. UIC – 25 

9. Valparaiso – 25 

10. Evansville – 11  

UP NEXT 

Following the action at EIU, the Redbirds will compete at home March 31- April 1, for the Redbird Challenge.  

To keep up with the latest news on Redbird track & field and cross country, follow us on Facebook at @Illinois State Track & Field/Cross Country, Twitter at @RedbirdTFXC, and Instagram at @redbirdtfxc.   

GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App: Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Athletic Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.