By Tyler Wooten
GoSycamores.com
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Indiana State men's and women's track and field has been tabbed to finish as the runners-up at this year's Missouri Valley Conference Indoor Championships this weekend, the Valley announced in its Pre-Championship Poll on Wednesday. ESPN3 will carry coverage of both days, with Day One's coverage beginning at 7:15 p.m. ET and Day Two beginning at 2 p.m. ET.
Wichita State, the defending women's champion outdoors, was picked in the poll to sweep both the men's and women's indoor titles this season. If that ends up being the final result, this year would be the third consecutive season in which the same school won both titles indoors – the previous two indoor seasons being swept by the Sycamores. The Indiana State men received 57 points in the poll behind Wichita's 61, while the women were picked similarly close with 73 opposed to WSU's 80.
The Sycamore men may be missing All-American workhorse John Mascari, but several other Sycamores look primed to step up in the effort for a fourth-straight MVC Indoor title. Mascari's replacement on the track will be junior All-American David Timlin, who is a force to be reckoned with in the mile and the 3,000 meter race. Timlin set new school records in both the mile (4:00.42) and 3K (7:58.59) this indoor season – the latter of which destroyed Mascari's previous record by 10 seconds. Timlin was also the victor of the prestigious Meyo Mile at Notre Dame on Feb. 6.
As per usual, ISU's hurdles crew is set to inflict some major damage in the 60-meter hurdles – led by senior All-American and Indianapolis native Adarius Washington. After missing two weeks due to a minor injury, Washington returned last week to run a season-best 7.82 seconds at EIU – the best in the MVC this season that also puts him within striking distance of a national qualifying berth with a good performance this week.
ISU also owns the No. 2 men's hurdler in the conference in junior Marcus Neely, who has currently topped out at 7.91 this season. Two more Sycamores are also within scoring contention on the current performance list: Daley Carter (sixth, 8.06) and Jacob Wright (eighth, 8.16).
The Indiana State men also have a strong chance to get some high production out of its field athletes. Senior Terre Haute native Connor Curley enters as the heavy favorite in the pole vault with his MVC-leading height of 5.30m (17-04.50) – which was cleared at UNI in January.
Senior and former football tight end Jamar Brown enters the meet as the No. 2 shot putter in the Valley at 17.87m (58-07.50) behind two-time All-American Josh Freeman of Southern Illinois. Brown's career-best toss also ranks eighth all-time at Indiana State and No. 1 nationally this season by almost one foot among other football players.
ISU also has a chance to get some work done in the long jump. Defending indoor champion Devyn Mikell enters No. 2 in the MVC at 7.47m (24-06.25), and Scott Schreiber also ranks high in fourth at 7.31m (23-11.75).
On the women's side, sophomore jack-of-all-trades Jamie Newsome looks to be Indiana State's most productive athlete this weekend. The Lee's Summit, Mo., native is a title contender in both the triple jump (No. 1 MVC, 12.45m/40-10.25) and long jump (No. 2 MVC, 5.95m (19-06.25), and has the potential to contribute on the track as well in both the 4x400 meter relay and the distance medley relay.
Another big-time producer could be sophomore distance runner Brittany Neeley. The IU transfer will be a factor for the Sycamores in both the mile and the 3K, the former of which she is narrowly close to breaking interim director of athletics Angie Lansing's all-time record of 4:50.12 set in 1998 after running 4:51.09 at IU two weeks ago. Neeley is part of a strong distance crew alongside Taylor Austin, Jessi Conley and Brooke Moore who are looking to make a dent in Cedar Falls this weekend.
The women's hurdlers also have a chance for big points this weekend. Sophomore Patrycja Dziekonska is having a superb indoor season, having run the third-fastest time in school history at 8.57 seconds – the fourth-best in the Valley this season.
ISU also has a chance to make its presence known in the throwing events in both the shot put and weight throw. Indiana State owns the third (Cassaundra Roper, 15.46m/50-08.75), fourth (Katelyn Rutz, 15.30m/50-02.50) and sixth (Whitney Walker, 15.06m/49-05.00) best marks in the shot put this indoor season, as well as the second (Katelyn Rutz, 19.09m/62-07.75) and eighth (Jasmine Noel, 17.48m/57-04.25) best marks in the weight throw. Rutz, a senior native of Amherst, Wis., is a potential title contender in the weight as well as she is starting to hit her stride heading into the conference meet.
The Sycamore women also return two-time indoor pole vault champion, senior Kimyanna Rudolph. Rudolph ranks second in the Valley this season at 4.00m (13-01.50).
Competition will begin with freshman Ayanna Morgan in the women's pentathlon at 10:30 a.m. ET.
Men's Pre-Championship Poll:
1. Wichita State – 61
2. Indiana State – 57
3. Illinois State – 49
4. Northern Iowa – 38
5. Southern Illinois – 35
6. Bradley – 22
7. Drake – 13
7. Loyola - 13
Women's Pre-Championship Poll:
1. Wichita State – 80
2. Indiana State – 73
3. Illinois State – 59
4. Southern Illinois – 49
5. Missouri State – 48
6. Northern Iowa – 39
7. Drake – 29
8. Bradley – 19
9. Loyola - 9
Men's Projected Finish (per TFRRS):
1. Wichita State – 149
2. Indiana State – 109
3. Illinois State – 96
4. Northern Iowa – 93
5. Southern Illinois – 90
6. Bradley – 57
7. Loyola – 33
8. Drake – 25
Women's Projected Finish (per TFRRS):
1. Wichita State – 135
2. Indiana State – 115
3. Illinois State – 84
4. Northern Iowa – 77
5. Southern Illinois – 66
5. Missouri State – 66
7. Drake – 58
8. Bradley – 42
9. Loyola – 17
* Projected point totals reflect the current MVC performance list.
Last Five Men's MVC Indoor Champions:
2015: Indiana State
2014: Indiana State
2013: Indiana State
2012: Southern Illinois
2011: Indiana State
Last Five Women's MVC Indoor Champions:
2015: Indiana State
2014: Indiana State
2013: Wichita State
2012: Missouri State
2011: Wichita State
Returning Men's Indoor All-MVC:
2015
Devyn Mikell (Long Jump, first place)
Adarius Washington (60-Meter Hurdles, first place)
Daley Carter (60-Meter Hurdles, second place)
Tyrell Dowdell (4x400 Meter Relay, second place)
Terry McGee (4x400 Meter Relay, second place)
DeSean Prentice (High Jump, second place)
David Timlin (800 Meter, second place)
Connor Curley (Pole Vault, third place)
Scott Schreiber (60-Meter Dash, third place)
Scott Schreiber (Long Jump, third place)
2014
David Timlin (Mile, second place)
Adarius Washington (60-Meter Hurdles, second place)
2013
Adarius Washington (60-Meter Hurdles, second place)
Returning Women's Indoor All-MVC:
2015
LeVisa Evans (High Jump, first place)
Alethia Marrero (400 Meter, first place)
Jamie Newsome (Triple Jump, first place)
Katie Wise (200-Meter Dash, first place)
Oschtisha Jackson (4x400 Meter Relay, second place)
Alethia Marrero (4x400 Meter Relay, second place)
Jamie Newsome (4x400 Meter Relay, second place)
Chidera Obasih (4x400 Meter Relay, second place)
Katie Wise (60-Meter Dash, second place)
Kimyanna Rudolph (Pole Vault, third place)
Chidera Obasih (60-Meter Dash, third place)
2014
Kimyanna Rudolph (Pole Vault, first place)
Katie Wise (60-Meter Dash, first place)
Katie Wise (200-Meter Dash, first place)
Demetra Camble (60-Meter Dash, second place)
Alethia Marrero (400 Meter, second place)
Whitney Walker (Shot Put, third place)
2013
Kimyanna Rudolph (Pole Vault, first place)
Katie Wise (60-Meter Dash, first place)
Men's Indoor Team Championships (4)
2011, 2013, 2014, 2015
Women's Indoor Team Championships (6)
1993, 1994, 1995, 2001, 2014, 2015
Men's National Top-50:
24. Connor Curley – Pole Vault – 5.30m (17-04.50)
26. Adarius Washington – 60-Meter Hurdles – 7.82
35. David Timlin – 3,000 Meters – 7:58.59
37. David Timlin – Mile – 4:00.42
39. Marcus Neely – 60-Meter Hurdles – 7.91
48. Devyn Mikell – Long Jump – 7.47m (24-06.50)
Women's National Top-50:
25. Chidera Obasih – 60-Meter Dash – 7.36
Men's MVC Top-Eight:
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 – 7.82
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
4. Scott Schreiber – Long Jump – 7.31m (23-11.75)
5. Gino Brown – Triple Jump – 14.53m (47-08.00)
5. Tyrell Dowdell – 400 Meters – 48.37
5. Scott Schreiber – 60-Meter Dash – 6.86
6. Daley Carter – 60-Meter Hurdles – 8.06
6. Jaynard Keys – 60-Meter Dash – 6.88
7. DeSean Prentice – High Jump – 2.03m (6-08.00)
7. 4x400 Meter Relay – 3:17.47
8. Carl McQuay – 200 Meter Dash – 21.86 (converted)
8. Jacob Wright – 60-Meter Hurdles – 8.16
Women's MVC Top-Eight:
1. Jamie Newsome – Triple Jump – 12.45m (40-10.25)
1. Chidera Obasih – 60-Meter Dash – 7.36
1. Chidera Obaish – 200-Meter Dash – 23.96 (converted)
2. Jamie Newsome – Long Jump – 5.95m (19-06.25)
2. Kimyanna Rudolph – Pole Vault – 4.00m (13-01.50)
2. Distance Medley Relay – 11:45.04
3. Cassaundra Roper – Shot Put – 15.46m (50-08.75)
3. Katie Wise – 60-Meter Dash – 7.52
4. Jessi Conley – 800 Meter – 2:12.42
4. Patrycja Dziekonska – 60-Meter Hurdles – 8.57
4. Brittany Neeley – Mile – 4:51.09
4. Katelyn Rutz – Shot Put – 15.30m (50-02.50)
4. Katelyn Rutz – Weight Throw – 19.09m (62-07.75)
4. 4x400 Meter Relay – 3:46.85 (converted)
5. Taylor Austin – 5,000 Meters – 17:00.90
5. LeVisa Evans – High Jump – 1.70m (5-07.00)
6. Taylor Austin – Mile – 4:51.86
6. Elizabeth Herron – Long Jump – 5.69m (18-08.00)
6. Whitney Walker – Shot Put – 15.06m (49-05.00)
7. Aleksey Green – 800 Meter – 2:13.07 (converted)
8. Jasmine Noel – Weight Throw – 17.48m (57-04.25)
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.
