CARBONDALE, Ill. ? The Indiana State University men's track and field team finished second overall and the women's team third in the Missouri Valley Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships that concluded today at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.
Northern Iowa University won the men's title with 193 points with Indiana State second at 145. Southern Illinois was a distant third with 67 points, Wichita State fourth at 45, Drake fifth with 43 and Illinois State sixth with 34 points.
Wichita State won the women's title with 142 points while Northern Iowa was second with 98. Indiana State finished a solid third with 80 points, Illinois State fourth with 59, Southern Illinois fifth at 55, Drake sixth with 43, Missouri State seventh with 36 and Bradley eighth with four points.
“Northern Iowa is ranked 13th in the country and they have a strong team,” John McNichols said. “But we had an outstanding day and now will get ready for the outdoor season.”
The Sycamores had three more individual champions following action on Saturday. Jordan Fife captured the mile run with a time of 4:10.12, Jeremy Gray won the 60 meters with a time of 6.85 and Paladin Jordan won the triple jump with a leap of 51-feet-5 ?.
Jordan was closely followed by Steve Daniel in the triple jump as Daniel was second with a leap of 51-feet-2 ?. Both of those distances were NCAA provisional qualifying marks. Corey Dowden finished fourth in that event with a leap of 50-feet-0.
Daniel also finished fourth in the 60 meters in 6.96 with Tony West coming in sixth with a time of 7.10.
Anthony Bertoli set a new school record in finishing fourth in the Heptathlon with 4954 points. Carlton Hoyles was seventh with 4699 points.
In other track events, Sean Bowman was fourth (4:14.10) in the mile; Jordan was fourth (8.21) and Clayton Wilson sixth (8.42) in the 60 meter hurdles; Fife third (8.37.62), Justin Kunz fifth (8:38.04) and Kyle Walsh fifth (8:40.26) in the 3,000 meters; Sean Wright was third (47.80) in the 400 meters; James Twitchell fifth (1:54.28) and Brad Ada sixth (2:07.69) in the 800 meters; and the 4x400 relay team of Bryant Kent, Logan Edwards, Sean Wright and Clayton Wilson finished second (3:17.43).
“In his final MVC indoor meet, Fire really had to use his signature kick,” McNichols said. “He came from behind to finish third in the 3,000 and then had to use his kick again in the mile to come from behind and win.”
In field events on Saturday, Jeremy Gillingham finished third in the men's weight throw with a toss of 58-feet-11 ? while Lyle Nolcox was second at 58-feet-4 ?.
Although not as outstanding a day as Friday was for the ISU women, Saturday was still a very good day for the Lady Sycamores.
“It took some outstanding freshmen and great performances from our seniors,” John Gartland said of his women's team. “This was a very solid meet for us.”
Santia Spight finished second in the high jump for Indiana State with a leap of 5-feet-8 while Lauren Martin finished fifth in the triple jump (39-feet-3).
Dani Prince finished second in the 3,000 meters (9:53.28) while Laura Engle also picked up a point for the Sycamores by finishing sixth (10:06.47). Engle was also fourth in the mile (5:04.01), Myra Bess third in the 60 meter hurdles (8.81); Janae Bridges third in the 200 meters (24.96); Jeanne Roberts sixth in the 60 meters (7.71); and Adrian Wunderlich sixth in the 800 meters (2:21.56).
The 4x400 relay team of Mary Kate Conway, Lauren Martin, Myra Bess and Erica Moore finished fourth in 3:50.12.
All-Conference
Women's Team - Erica Moore (Pentathlon & Distance Medley); Kylie Hutson (Pole Vault); Janae Bridges (Long Jump & 200 meters); Myra Bess (60 meter hurdles), Santia Spight (high jump), Dani Prince (3,000 meters & Distance Medley); Lauren Martin (Distance Medley); and Laura Engle (Distance Medley).
Men's Team ? Jeremy Gillingham (Shot Put & Weight Throw); Rylen Peterson (Long Jump); Justin Kunz (5,000 Meters); Curt Sunderland (High Jump); Jeremy Gray (60 meters); Jordan Fife (Mile Run & 3,000 meters); Paladin Jordan (Triple Jump); Steve Daniel (Triple Jump); Sean Wright (400 meters & 4x400 relay); Bryant Kent (4x400 relay); Logan Edwards (4x400 relay); Clayton Wilson (4x400 relay); Distance Medley Relay team.
