McLean County Times

The Illinois State track and field teams wrapped up the second day of competition at the Drake Relays and Kip Janvrin Invite in Des Moines, Iowa, amidst challenging weather conditions.

Despite heavy thunderstorms causing delays, several athletes from the Redbirds achieved significant top-10 finishes. On the men's team, senior Mathis Chavand delivered a standout performance by finishing fifth in the 1,500m run with a personal-best time of 3:46.11, marking him as eighth best in program history. The men's 4x1,600m relay squad secured fourth place with a time of 16:59.36. Meanwhile, the 4x100 relay team advanced to the finals after qualifying sixth with a time of 41.04 seconds. Sophomore Dewayne Johnson also progressed to the finals with his qualifying time of 14.04 seconds and will compete further on Saturday. Freshman Garrett Taylor achieved tenth place in discus with a mark of 51.05m (167-6), while sophomore Rob Pulliam cleared a height of 1.98m (6-6) for twelfth place in high jump. Senior Amiri Buchanan took fourth in shot put with an impressive mark of 18.13m (59-5.75).

For the women's team, senior Hassy Fashina-Bombata finished third in the 400m hurdles with a personal-best time of 59.15 seconds, placing her third best in school history. The women's 4x1,600m relay squad finished sixth with a time of 20:00.97. Senior Bayta Butler threw for sixteenth place in discus at 42.40m (139-1) and placed seventh in shot put with a mark of 14.24m (46-8.75). Junior Windsor Roberts cleared a height of 3.62m (11-10.5) for fifteenth place in pole vault, while senior Macy Byer secured sixth place in discus throw at 49.54m (162-6).

At the Kip Janvrin Invite held in Indianola, Iowa, three student-athletes represented Illinois State on Friday's events. Senior Jaiden Johnson won the 110m hurdles clocking at 14.31 seconds and junior Caleb Lerus placed fourth in the 400m race finishing at 49.01 seconds; freshman Sam Atkinson took eighth position in the 800m event completing it within a span of 1:55:47.

Day three of competition at Drake Relays is set to commence tomorrow morning starting from hammer throw scheduled for kickoff around half-past ten AM.

To follow updates on Redbird track & field as well as cross-country activities make sure you check out their social media handles - Facebook (@Illinois State Track & Field/Cross Country), Twitter (@RedbirdTFXC), Instagram (@redbirdtfxc). Further information regarding tickets purchases through GoRedbirds.com along supporting athletic fund gifts or obtaining multimedia contents such as photographs etc., can be accessed via Illinois State Redbirds App.