Redbird Men Claim First MVC Outdoor Title Since 1999

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Illinois State track and field closed out the Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Championships in historic fashion Sunday, as the Redbird men secured their first MVC outdoor team title since 1999.

Trailing by 14 points after day one, the Redbird men totaled four individual titles, a relay championship and several All-MVC finishes en route to the men's first conference crown this millennium. The men finished 26.5 points ahead of runner-up Northern Iowa and 31 points ahead of third-place Indiana State. 

"Our seniors led the way this weekend," said Illinois State Director of Track and Field Jeff Bovee. "We've been knocking on the door on the men's side for years and have come so close so many times. Our seniors remember that feeling of coming so close, so they wanted a different result, and they got it done. It was a phenomenal group effort all around."

The Illinois State men's 4x100 relay team of Jaiden Reed, Enyinnaya Nwagwu Jr., Reece Curtis and Zach Paul claimed the MVC title in 39.81, moving to No. 2 in program history. The performance marked the fastest time by a Redbird 4x100 relay squad since the 1996 quartet set the school record.

Paul also captured the MVC championship in the men's 100m dash while breaking his own school record with a time of 10.15, improving his previous mark of 10.19. He is Illinois State's first outdoor champion in the event since 1996.

Curtis earned All-MVC honors with a third-place finish in the 100m dash and moved into a tie for second in program history at 10.25, while Nwagwu Jr. improved from 10th to sixth all-time at Illinois State with a 10.30 performance.

In the men's 200m, Nwagwu Jr. earned All-MVC honors with a runner-up finish, while Paul added a third-place All-MVC performance.

Garrett Taylor captured the MVC title in the discus with a throw of 55.48m. Taylor is the first Redbird to win an outdoor title in the event since Illinois State won five straight discus titles from 1996-2000. Taylor also moved from 10th to fourth in program history in the shot put with a personal-best mark of 18.33m.

"This one was a long time coming after last year's performance," said assistant coach Mike Turk. "Garrett has continued to mature, develop and endure. I really felt it was his time, and he came through big!"

Voldy Makabu added another MVC title for the Redbirds in the high jump after clearing 2.14m, tying for ninth in program history. Makabu also received MVC Co-Men's Freshman Athlete of the Year honors.

"I took a million jumps, but only one counted," said Makabu. "One team. One goal."

Kaden Stewart also earned All-MVC honors in the high jump with a third-place finish.

Victor Byaundaombe captured the MVC title in the triple jump and improved his seventh-place mark in program history from 15.32m to 15.33m. This is Byaundaombe's second straight outdoor MVC title in the event.

Astor Snaider earned All-MVC honors in the triple jump with a runner-up finish and moved into 10th in the Illinois State record book at 15.24m.

"I thought the jumpers really brought it this weekend, and they were ready to compete," said Redbird assistant coach Austin West. "The environment was electric, and it brought out the best in them. I'm really proud of that group."

Julian Baker  secured All-MVC recognition with a third-place finish in the men's 1500m. The Redbirds closed the meet with an All-MVC finish in the men's 4x400 relay, as Welch, Paul, Nwagwu Jr. and Curtis placed second in 3:09.17.

Several other Redbird men turned in scoring performances throughout Sunday action.

Kane Shields placed fourth in the men's 1500m with a season-best 3:49.44, and Jake Welch added points in the men's 400m with a sixth-place finish in 47.85. 

Jamarion Bardwell contributed points in both the high jump and triple jump, including a fourth-place finish in the triple jump at 14.96m.  Jacob Klink added points in the shot put with a sixth-place finish at 17.79m, while Jo Atkins scored in the event with an eighth-place finish and a mark of 17.39m. Blake Oleson added a fifth-place finish in the men's 10,000m, while Baker scored points in the 5000m with a seventh-place finish. Trey Thomas also contributed to the team title with a fourth-place finish in the decathlon.

The Illinois State women also turned in a strong weekend performance, finishing third in the team standings with 108 points behind UNI (167 points) and three-peat MVC Champion Indiana State (183.5 points). 

"A strength for both of our teams is balance," Bovee said. "We had contributions from a lot of different angles. We knew we had to have a great meet to finish in the top three, and I'm super pleased with the women's effort."

On Sunday, Becca Heitzig earned All-MVC runner-up finishes in both the 1500m and 800m, while Pauline Schedler placed third in both events to earn All-MVC honors.

Macee Rivers earned All-MVC honors with a runner-up finish in the women's 100m hurdles.

Mattison Plummer closed out the meet with an All-MVC third-place finish in the women's 5000m after winning the conference steeplechase title Friday.

Lindsey Miller  contributed to the team score, placing fourth in the 100m and fifth in the 200m. Kristyn Johnson added points in both events with a fifth-place finish in the 100m and seventh-place finish in the 200m. 

Sienna Robertson scored five points in the discus with a fourth-place finish at 46.07m, while Adison Scott added points with a sixth-place finish and personal-best mark of 45.86m. 

Ava Lawless contributed points in the triple jump with a sixth-place finish at 11.78m, while Abby Milott added a point with an eighth-place finish. Maggie Reed also scored for the Redbirds with a fifth-place finish in the women's 5000m in 17:23.09.

FINAL TEAM SCORES

Men 

1. Illinois State - 179.5 points

2. Northern Iowa - 153 points

3. Indiana State - 148.5 points

4. Drake - 102 points

5. Southern Illinois - 70 points

Women

1. Indiana State - 183.5 points

2. Northern Iowa - 167 points

3. Illinois State - 108 points

4. Murray State - 97 points

5. Bradley - 91 points

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