KEVIN JENISON
GoSycamores.com
CHARLESTON, ILL. ? The mix of newcomers and veterans proved to be a perfect combination for the Indiana State Track & Field team as the Sycamores opened the 2010-2011 Indoor season by winning the overall titles of the men's and women's division's at the Eastern Illinois University Early Bird Invitational on Friday.
“This was a good opening meet for the women,” Angie Martin, Indiana State women's track & field coach, said. “Some really good things happened and we also had some learning experiences. A lot of our young women took charge today.”
The Indiana State women won with 178.50 points followed by Eastern Illinois with 147.50. Cincinnati scored 119 points with Northern Illinois at 81.50, Butler 47, and Kennesaw State 45.50.
“We had a great mix of newcomers and veterans,” John McNichols, Indiana State men's track & field coach, said. “It is quite comforting to know that we did this well while still holding out a number of our veteran runners. As the season progresses, it is going to be very competitive to make the travel team. This was a very positive opener with a lot of possibilities. I am really encouraged by what I saw.”
The Indiana State men won the team title with 227 points. Eastern Illinois was second with 214 followed by Kennesaw State with 87 and Butler with 59.
Sophomore Felisha Johnson was a double winner for the Sycamore women as she set the school record for the weight throw with a toss of 73'-2.5” (22.31 meters) in winning the event. Senior Kelsey Hanley, who had the record, was second with a toss of 64'-8.75” (19.73 meters). Johnson also won the shot put with a heave of 49'-7.25” (15.12 meters) which is the third best in school history.
Junior Kaci Smith was also a winner for the Sycamores Friday, winning the 600 meters in 1:35.61 which is the sixth best time in school history.
Junior transfer Nichole Hope had the fourth best vault in school history in placing second in the pole vault after clearing 12'-4.75” (3.78 meters). Freshman Kelly Steffen was second in the high jump at 5'-4.25” (1.53 meters) while freshman Shelby Higginbottom was second in the long jump with a leap of 17'-5.25” (5.31 meters), and sophomore Shalesa Smith was second in the triple jump with a leap of 37'-3.75” (11.37 meters).
Senior Jaquelle Spencer was second in the 60 meters with a time of 7.65 in the preliminaries and 7.66 in the finals. Sophomore Stacia Weatherford was third in the 400 meters in 59.12 with freshman Brittany Housel third in the 600 meters in 1:42.24, and sophomore Leeann Michl second in the 800 meters in 12:16.19.
Higginbottom, Smith, senior Rachel Posey, and Michl combined to finish second in the 4x400 meter relay with a time of 3:54.80 while freshman Ashley Name, sophomore Macey Black, freshman Alexa McFadden, and junior Kristy Twitchell combined to finish second in the Distance Medley Relay in 13:06.31.
Indiana State won four of the six field events in the men's competition. Freshman Shayne Cureton won the high jump with a leap of 6'-7” (2.02 meters) while junior Ernest Rollins won the triple jump with a leap of 48'-3.5” (14.72 meters), freshman Chris Fields the shot put with a heave of 49'-6.5” (15.10 meters), and junior Brandon Pounds the weight throw with a toss of 62'-4.5” (19.61 meters).
In the track events, freshman Greggmar Swift ran the fifth fastest 60 meter hurdle time in school history in winning the event with a time of 7.91. Freshman Jonathon Jackson won the 600 meters with a time of 1:23.66, freshman Brad Adams won the 800 meters in 1:56.26, and junior Craig Padgett the mile in 4:18.25.
Freshman Max Tuttle finished second in the 400 meters in 50.40 with sophomore Corey Hahn second in the 800 meters in 1:57.91.
Johnson, Jackson, freshman Ray Skamay, and freshman Max Tuttle combined to finish second in the 4x400 meter relay with a time of 3:25.73 while sophomore Dustin Betz, junior Andrew Stull, sophomore Kyle Smiley, and junior Jeremiah Vaughan won the distance medley relay with a tie of 10:19.92.
The Sycamores have a month before they host Illinois State in the Terre Haute Double Dual which will be held at Rose-Hulman on Jan. 15.
