McLean County Times

The Illinois Wesleyan University men's and women's track and field teams are preparing to compete in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Outdoor Championships. The event will take place on May 3-4 at Augustana College's Austin E. Knowlton Outdoor Athletics Complex.

Last year, both teams from Illinois Wesleyan finished fourth in the outdoor championships, with the men scoring 97 points and the women 94. This season, IWU has top marks in five events.

Sophomore Evan Lowder from Bloomington, Ill., holds the fastest times in his individual events: a 21.37-second finish in the 200-meter dash and a 47.14-second finish in the 400-meter dash. Lowder is also part of a leading relay team with freshmen Tyrice Bender and Reece Dusek from Peoria, Ill., along with junior Alex Harvey from Galesburg, Ill., achieving a time of 3:13.47 in the 4-by-400m relay.

Freshman Adam Beasley from Bloomington, Ill., leads in the men's high jump with a clearance of 2.01 meters (6'7"). Freshman Imani Ogunribido from Hanover Park, Ill., stands out in the women's triple jump with an effort measuring 12.23 meters (40'1.50").

Several Titans are currently second in their respective events: Dusek in the 400m at 48.80 seconds; Beasley in long jump at 7.07 meters (23'2.5"); junior Annalese Chudy from Libertyville, Ill., for her performance in the 10,000 meters at 36:36.18; and sophomore Isaac Whitaker from Bloomington, Ill., for pole vaulting at a height of 4.73 meters (15'6.25").

According to this year's CCIW Pre-Championship Coaches' Poll, Illinois Wesleyan's women are predicted to finish fifth among nine teams with North Central anticipated as champions after receiving eight first-place votes.

For men’s predictions, IWU is expected to finish third with one first-place vote while North Central secured all eight possible first-place votes for first place.

The CCIW Outdoor Championships will begin on Friday morning with multi-events starting at 10 a.m., followed by field events at noon and track events commencing at 2 p.m.

Admission prices vary: adults pay $10 per day; seniors aged over sixty-five years old as well as students or children between six to fourteen years old pay $5 per day; children under five enter free alongside current CCIW students who present valid institutional identification cards.