December 10, 2005
Track and Field
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Men and Women Run Away with Victories vs. Eastern Illinois

CHARLESTON, Ill. – Both the men and women’s indoor track and field teams at Indiana State started the 2005-06 season off on the right foot after posting victories at the Eastern Illinois Early Bird dual meet on Saturday. The women ran away with the 150-104 victory while the men captured every field event on the way to a 146-136 win.

“I was pleased to be able to start in this fashion” women’s head coach John Gartland said. “We started really well and it is good to see that kind of a strong start.”

Some of the highlights for the women included individual wins by junior Myra Bess in the 60m hurdles with a time of 9.09. Freshmen Tiffany Jelks captured her first individual title in the 60m dash, crossing the finish line at a blazing 7.76. Another freshman, Mary Kate Conway also picked up her first win in the 400m dash with a time of 59.93.

Freshman Katie Weber continued the diaper-dandy showing, capturing a win in the 600m dash at 1:39.67. Junior Laura Engle and sophomore Heather Stembridge went the distance in the mile and 3000m races with first place finishes of 5:10.95 and 10:36.17, respectively.

Both the 4x400m and distance medley relay teams would also pick up first place finishes with times of 3:58.97 and 12:42.34.

In the field events, the women would continue their domination at the top with firsts in the long jump (Samantha McClendon, 18’4.25”), triple jump (Yolanda Wright, 38’6.25”), pole vault (Nikki Royer, 11’6.25”) and weight throw (Ebony White, 51’8.25”).

For the men, senior Jason Carruthers threw a provisional national qualifying distance of 66’7.25” in the 35 lb. weight throw en route to the first place finish. The Sycamores would find themselves on top in every other field event with senior Drew Traub (shot put, 54’10.75”), sophomore Jake Conn (pole vault, 15’1.5”), freshman Curt Sunderland (high jump, 6’9.5”), junior Paladin Jordan (triple jump, 48’11.75”) and senior Hanif Muhammad (long jump, 22’9.75”) picking up wins.

On the track the men would find fewer wins due to injuries and other runners resting from regional races. However, the Sycamores found individual victories from senior Jerry Clopton in the 60m dash with a time of 6.95, Logan Edwards in the 400m dash (50.25) and sophomore Kyle Walsh in the 3000m with a time of 8:41.44.

“I think overall it was a fair effort,” men’s head coach John McNichols said. “I think we’ll have some things to work on over the break, but I think this really gives them motivation to stay after it during the individual workouts over the holidays.”

Both teams will have time to enjoy the win as the next competition will not be until January 14 when the teams will travel to Normal, Illinois to face Illinois State.