By Tyler Wooten
GoSycamores.com

CHARLESTON, Ill. – Indiana State men's and women's track and field is ready to head to Eastern Illinois for the Friday Night Special, the Sycamores' final tune-up before the MVC Indoor Championships at Northern Iowa on Feb. 27-28.

Most of Indiana State's distance squad is getting this week off to rest for the MVC Championships after several very strong weeks from junior All-American David Timlin on the men's side and a young women's distance crew that now owns four of the top-six mile times in school history.

However, many signature Sycamore competitors will be looking to put a final polish on their technique for the conference championships.

The Sycamore throws squad will be out in full force, including senior shot putter Jamar Brown – the No. 1-ranked shot putter in the nation among football players.

Senior pole vaulter and Terre Haute native Connor Curley will be in action and hoping to push himself up on the NCAA qualifying list. Curley currently stands as ISU's highest-ranked student-athlete nationally as the 20th-best pole vaulter at 5.30m (17-04.50) – the second-highest clearance indoors in school history.

ISU will also be full-forced in both the men's and women's 60-meter hurdles. On the men's side, senior All-American Adarius Washington returns after sitting out the last two weeks with a minor leg injury as a precaution. Washington currently ranks 28th nationally in the hurdles at 7.85 seconds, and is followed closely by junior Marcus Neely in 39th at 7.91. On the women's side, sophomore Patrycja Dziekonska will try to improve on a stellar outing at IU last week, where she ran the third-fastest time in school history at 8.57.

Competition will begin Friday afternoon at 2 p.m. with the beginning of the women's weight throw.

Women's National Top-50:

24. Chidera Obasih – 60 Meter Dash – 7.36

Men's National Top-50:

20. Connor Curley – Pole Vault – 5.30m (17-04.50)

28. Adarius Washington – 60 Meter Hurdles – 7.85

34. David Timlin – Mile – 4:00.42

34. David Timlin – 3,000 Meters – 7:58.59

39. Marcus Neely – 60 Meter Hurdles – 7.91

47. Devyn Mikell – Long Jump – 7.47m (24-06.25)

50. Jamie Murtagh – High Jump – 2.12m (6-11.50)

Women's MVC Top-Three:

1. Jamie Newsome – Triple Jump – 12.45m (40-10.25)

1. Chidera Obasih – 60 Meter Dash – 7.36

1. Chidera Obasih – 200 Meter Dash – 23.96 (converted)

1. Distance Medley Relay – 11:45.04

2. Jamie Newsome – Long Jump – 5.95m (19-06.25)

2. Cassaundra Roper – Shot Put – 15.46m (50-08.75)

2. Kimyanna Rudolph – Pole Vault – 4.00m (13-01.50)

3. Katelyn Rutz – Shot Put – 15.30m (50-02.50)

3. Katie Wise – 60 Meter Dash – 7.52

Men's MVC Top-Three:

1. Connor Curley – Pole Vault – 5.30m (17-04.50)

1. David Timlin – Mile – 4:00.42

1. David Timlin – 3,000 Meters – 7:58.59

1. Adarius Washington – 60 Meter Hurdles – 7.85

2. Jamar Brown – Shot Put – 17.87m (58-07.50)

2. Devyn Mikell – Long Jump – 7.47m (24-06.25)

2. Jamie Murtagh – High Jump – 2.12m (6-11.50)

2. Marcus Neely – 60 Meter Hurdles – 7.91

2. Distance Medley Relay – 10:22.40

For the latest information on the Sycamore Track and Field team, make sure to check out GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook and Twitter.