KEVIN JENISON
GoSycamores.com
DES MOINES, IOWA ? Indiana State freshman Kelly Steffen recorded the third best point total for the Heptathlon in school history, establishing two personal bests in the three events competed today and finishing sixth overall (fourth collegian) with 4,573 points.
Fellow freshman Rachael Johnson placed eighth overall (sixth collegian) with 3,890 points. Sycamore sophomore Robert Webb ended up 10th overall with 6,352 points, the eighth best total in school history, despite establishing two personal bests in the five events contested today.
In other action for Indiana State on Thursday, sophomore Leeann Michl ran to a seventh place finish out of a field of 14 athletes in the unseeded 800 meters, setting a new personal best and the sixth best time in school history of 2:11.46 in the process. Sophomore Albaro Escalera ran the men's 10,000 meters for the first time in his ISU career, finishing 12th out of 31 competitors with a time of 30:47.59 which is the ninth best in school history. Junior Craig Padgett rounded out the ISU competition for the day in the men's 5,000 meters but was unable to finish the race.
“Both Kelly and Rachael are great kids,” Angie Martin, Indiana State women's track & field coach and coach of the multi-eventers, said. “They are having fun but are frustrated at times which they are going to have to learn how to deal with that.
“Bobby may have had a little bit of a fatigue factor after such an outstanding first day,” Martin said. “He does have the right personality for a multi-eventer and did a nice job today.”
Steffen ran a personal best 2:28.50 to finish fifth in the 800 meters and had a personal best throw of 104'-0” (31.69 meters) in finishing sixth in the javelin. She also had a jump of 17'-0.5” (5.19 meters) in placing seventh in the long jump.
Johnson placed sixth in the 800 meters with a time of 2:34.65, had a throw of 95'-7” (29.23 meters) in finishing eighth in the javelin, and had a leap of 15'-1.5” (4.61 meters) to place ninth in the long jump.
Webb was clocked in a personal best 15.41 seconds in placing 10th in the 110 meter hurdles to open the second day of the Decathlon. He also cleared a personal best 13'-3.5” (4.05 meters) in placing seventh in the pole vault. The sophomore also had a distance of 89'-7” (27.32 meters) in placing 12th in the discus, 123'-4” (37.60 meters) for a 13th place finish in the javelin, and ran 4:57.55 in the 1500 meters to finish 12th.
Michl got off to a good start in a tough field of 800 meter runners but was boxed in and had to fight her way out but still finished seventh in a personal best time of 2:11.46 which is the sixth best time in school history.
“She felt pretty good with her time but I know she could have run faster,” Martin said. “She is young and still needs to learn what to do when she gets boxed in like that. She did have quite a kick, finished strong, and nearly overcame a huge deficit in the race.”
Coe sophomore Keelie Finnel won the race in 2:06.83.
Escalera ran his first 10,000 meter race in track & field for his ISU career and ran the ninth fastest time in school history in finishing 12th with a time of 30:47.59.
“Both the 10,000 and the 5,000 meters were strange races,” John McNichols, Indiana State men's track & field coach, said. “The 5,000 went out really fast which left a lot of coaches scratching their heads. Al did a great job in the 10,000 and was right at 15 minutes at the 5,000 meter mark. He kept up with the lead pack for another mile but then lost contact. I think he has the ability to run a really great 10,000 meter race.”
Nebraska-Kearney junior Tanner Fruit won the race in 29:50.41.
