KEVIN JENISON
GoSycamores.com
TERRE HAUTE, IND. ? It has been nearly five years since the last track and field meet was held at Indiana State University and Marks Field has undergone renovations since then. The Sycamores broke the renovated complex in on Friday as they hosted the first day of the two-day Indiana State Invitational with competition in the hammer throw and the shot put.
The Sycamores hold down the first day lead in the men's division with 28 points. SIU-Edwardsville is in second with 16 and Eastern Illinois University is third with nine points. Loyola University-Chicago did not compete in any of the events today but will be on hand Saturday.
In the women's division after two events, Eastern Illinois holds a slight lead over the Sycamores with 28 points while ISU has 22. SIU-Edwardsville is third with 15 points.
“Our strength is in the throws and we had good results today,” John McNichols, Indiana State men's track & field coach, said. “It's great to have a home meet this early in the season so the team can get conditioned to outdoors. We are hoping for good weather, and a good crowd, tomorrow.”
Indiana State freshman Brandon Pounds won his first outdoor event of the season, taking the shot put with a heave of 54-feet-1.75 (16.50 meters), just missing the regional qualifying mark. George Weed finished third with a heave of 49-feet-5.75 (15.08 meters).
Josh Williams struggled in the hammer throw with some sector faults but still came through with a second place finish with a throw of 173-feet-8 (52.94 meters). Pounds was third with a throw of 170-feet-3 (51.90 meters).
“The transition from indoors to outdoors has always affected Pounds,” McNichols said. “Williams had several very long throws but were not counted. This first meet is a great way for them to shake off some of the rust.”
Indiana State's Autumn Sowders took third in the women's shot put with a heave of 39-feet-4 (11.99 meters) while Tara Perigo was fourth with a heave of 39-feet-1 (11.91 meters).
In the hammer throw, Kelsey Hanley took second with a throw of 155-feet-5 (47.37) and, like Williams, had several long throws not counted. Sowders was fifth in the hammer with a throw of 133-feet-4 (40.63 meters).
Action resumes at 12:00 p.m. (ET) Saturday at Marks Field on the campus of Indiana State University and continues throughout the day. All area fans are urged to come out and support the Sycamores.
