NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State Track & Field will split squads between two meets this weekend, as a majority of Redbirds will compete at the Gary Wieneke Invitational, in Champaign, Illinois. Additionally, a small group of student-athletes will make the trip to Waco, Texas for the Michael Johnson Invitational.
Both meets will begin on Friday and conclude on Saturday.
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, 12 Redbird student-athletes qualify.
20. Riley Wells, 800m
22. Hassy Fashina-Bombata, 100m Hurdles
31. Mye'Joi Williams, shot put
31. Macy Byer, discus
32. Taylor Kesner, discus
32. Zofia LeHew, javelin
34. Brandon Ratliff, 110m Hurdles
36. Hassy Fashina-Bombata, 200m
41. Claire Fuhlhage, 3000m steeplechase
42. Taylor Kesner, javelin
42. Amiri Buchanan, shot put
44. Joe Boyer, shot put
LAST TIME OUT
Illinois State was in action last weekend at both the Bryan Clay Invitational hosted by Azusa Pacific University and Gibson Invitational hosted by Indiana State University. In total, seven Redbirds notched program all-time top-10 marks at the meet.
Claire Fuhlhage would set the eighth-fastest time in the women's 3000m steeplechase with a final time of 10:23.72, a new personal best as well.
Ailey Mitchell would continue the hot start for ISU in California, setting the fifth-best time in program history in the women's 10000m with a time of 35:06.06. Her time would also be a new personal best for the junior in the event.
For the second weekend in a row, the women's javelin saw sophomore Taylor Kesner set a new personal best as she would pick up the event win with a mark of 45.97m, the third best event mark in program history. Kesner would also gather an event win in the women's discus with her final mark of 51.22m, second best mark in her ISU career.
Then, it was ISU's relays showing out as both the men's and women's 4x100m relay squads set top-10 times at the Gibson Invitational. The women's team of Fashina-Bombata, Miller, Walker, and Buggs would win the event with the second-fastest event time in program history in a time of 45.13.
Following suit, the men's squad of Gorman, Nwagwu, Hopkins, and Turner ran a time of 40.76, the ninth-fastest event time in program history.
Senior Hassy Fashina-Bombata would show off her speed in the women's 200m as she picked up the event win with a time of 23.50, the second-fastest event time in program history and a personal best.
Finally, the Redbirds saw senior Rachel Hickey finish the Bryan Clay Invitational with a top-10 time in the women's 1500m. Hickey would run a time of 4:20.81, which stands as second fastest in program history as well as a new personal best.
MEET INFORMATION
For those who can't attend this weekend's meets, follow along on Twitter at @RedbirdTFXC for updates. Live results from the Michael Johnson and Gary Wieneke Invitationals can be found below. Additionally, a stream of the Illini Invitational is available below. Â
Live Stats (Michael Johnson Invitational):Â https://bit.ly/3A8CqbT
Live Stats (Gary Wieneke Invitational): https://bit.ly/40nZWMQ
Live Video (Gary Wieneke Invitational): https://bit.ly/3A9LDkg
UP NEXT
Following this weekend, the Redbirds will split groups between the Drake Relays, from April 27-29, and Clark Wood Invitational, from April 28-29 hosted by Louisville.
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