By Tyler Wooten
GoSycamores.com

CHARLESTON, Ill. – Indiana State men's and women's track and field will continue its outdoor season this weekend with a short trip across the Illinois border for the Big Blue Classic at Eastern Illinois.

The Sycamores will be among nine Division I schools that will be scored head-to-head, as well as alongside several other strong non-Division I schools, like Division II powerhouse Grand Valley State. Other Division I schools in attendance include Bradley, Central Michigan, Illinois, Illinois State, Illinois-Chicago, Loyola, Milwaukee and Valparaiso.

Indiana State is coming off a strong trip out to NC State for the Raleigh Relays, where the Sycamore men's 110-meter hurdlers were able to shine. All-American and Indianapolis native Adarius Washington currently ranks No. 2 in the NCAA and No. 1 in the East Region at his Raleigh winning time of 13.67 seconds (wind-aided). Junior Marcus Neely isn't far behind, ranking No. 8 nationally and No. 6 regionally after clocking in at 13.83 seconds – tied for fifth all-time at ISU, which also made him the 10th sub-14 second hurdler in Indiana State history.

For his efforts, Washington was named the Missouri Valley Conference Male Track Athlete of the Week.

Also having a stellar outing in Raleigh was sophomore All-MVC steepler Taylor Austin, who began her second outdoor campaign with the Sycamores with a tremendous race in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Austin was the runner-up at a school-record time of 10:18.28, which broke her own record from last season by 11 seconds. Austin's heat produced 11 of the current top-25 steeple times in the nation, which makes Austin No. 2 in the nation and the East Region.

As it stands, Indiana State holds seven national top-50 marks (four men, three women) and 15 East Region top-48 marks (10 men, five women). During the outdoor season, the top-48 individuals in each event (top-24 relays) earn a trip to either the East (Jacksonville, Fla.) or West (Lawrence, Kan.) Regional meet. From there, the top-12 finishers in each event in each region earn a trip out to TrackTownUSA (Eugene, Ore.) for the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

Competition will begin at EIU at 2 p.m. ET with the men's hammer and women's shot put.

Men's National Top-50:

2. Adarius Washington – 110-Meter Hurdles – 13.67(w)

8. Marcus Neely – 110-Meter Hurdles – 13.83

34. Devyn Mikell – Long Jump – 7.43m (24-04.50)

35. Connor Curley – Pole Vault – 5.05m (16-06.75)

Women's National Top-50:

2. Taylor Austin – 3,000-Meter Steeplechase – 10:18.28

48. 4x400-Meter Relay – 3:45.57

50. LeVisa Evans – High Jump – 1.70m (5-07.00)

Men's NCAA East Region Top-48:

1. Adarius Washington – 110-Meter Hurdles – 13.67(w)

6. Marcus Neely – 110-Meter Hurdles – 13.83

18. Connor Curley – Pole Vault – 5.05m (16-06.75)

20. Devyn Mikell – Long Jump – 7.43m (24-04.50)

25. Jamie Murtagh – High Jump – 2.05m (6-08.75)

33. Jamar Brown – Shot Put – 16.96m (55-07.75)

35. Scott Schreiber – Long Jump – 7.27m (23-10.25)

40. Riley Smith – Pole Vault – 4.80m (15-09.00)

44. DeSean Prentice – High Jump – 2.00m (6-06.75)

44. 4x100-Meter Relay – 41.11

Women's NCAA East Region Top-48:

2. Taylor Austin - 3,000-Meter Steeplechase – 10:18.28

22. 4x400-Meter Relay – 3:45.57

28. LeVisa Evans – High Jump – 1.70m (5-07.00)

34. Whitney Walker – Shot Put – 14.50m (47-07.00)

38. Cassaundra Roper – Shot Put – 14.38m (47-02.25)

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.