KEVIN JENISON
GoSycamores.com
CHARLESTON, ILL. ? Five individuals and one relay were event winners for the Indiana State Sycamores as the 2011 Eastern Illinois University Big Blue Classic concluded today under sunny skies and mild temperatures.
On the women's side, ISU's Kelsey Hanley threw a personal best 172'-8” (52.63 meters), the second best distance in school history, to win the discus competition. Nicole Hope matched her personal best by clearing 12'-8” (3.86 meters) to win the pole vault.
On the men's side, Indiana State's Keenan Johnson won the 400 meters with a time of 48.47 while Dustin Betz took the 1500 meters in 4:03.17, and Shayne Cureton the long jump at 22'-11.25” (6.99 meters). The Sycamore 4x100 meter relay team of Shaun Smith, Kevin Piraino, Michael Roberts, and Andrew Stull was also a winner in 41.88.
“The results were much better this week and the weather had a lot to do with it,” John McNichols, Indiana State men's track & field coach, said. “We had some ups and downs which may have been a result of the wind which was really tough down the backstretch but temperatures were good and we were able to have a full meet. We now head into two scored events and we are going to have to perform at a higher level in those meets.”
“We had an outstanding day with sunny skies and decent temperatures,” Angie Martin, Indiana State women's track & field coach, said. “It was windy for the running events and we had some kids that could handle the wind and others that could not. We are looking forward to the scored competition next week. It means a little bit more when it is scored and the team knows that they will have to step it up.”
Brad Adams was the top finisher for the ISU men's team in the 800 meters with a third place finish (1:52.64) with Corey Han fifth (1:54.78). Albaro Escalera was second in the 1,500 meters (4:03.52), and Michael Roberts placed fourth in the 110 meter hurdles (14.53).
In the field events, Jamel Hampton placed fifth in the high jump (6'-0”/1.83 meters), Drew LaMaster fourth in the pole vault (15'-1.5”/4.61 meters), Ernest Rollins third in the long jump (48'-3.25”/14.71 meters), Marcel Hamilton fourth in the long jump (47'-3.75”/14.42 meters), and Chris Fields placed fifth in the shot put (48'-1.25”/14.66 meters) and third in the discus (160'-9”/48.99 meters).
Top five track event finishers on the women's side included Kacie Klem who was fourth in the 1,500 meters (4:41.80) and Stacia Weatherford third in the 100 meter hurdles (14.31). The 4x100 meter relay team of Shalesa Smith, Brittany Housel, Rachel Posey, and Tori Stone was fifth in 50.61 while the 4x400 meter relay team of Shelby Higginbottom, Weatherford, Kaci Smith, and Leeann Michl was second in 3:52.16.
Smith was also fifth in the triple jump (38'-7.5”/11.77 meters) while Felisha Johnson was second in the shot put (48'-2.75”/14.70 meters) and fifth in the discus (151'-11”/46.31 meters), and Tara Perigo was fourth in the shot put (44'-9.5”/13.65 meters) and second in the javelin (119'-8”/36.47 meters).
