McLean County Times

The Illinois Wesleyan University men's and women's track and field teams held their annual banquet on April 24, where they recognized six athletes for their achievements during the 2024 season.

Sophomores Evan Lowder and Adriana Crabtree were awarded "Most Valuable Player" honors for their respective teams. Lowder set school records in the 300-meter (34.99) and 400-meter dashes (48.47) this season, while also securing second place in the indoor 200m (22.12). He earned All-America Second Team honors with a ninth-place finish in the 400m at the NCAA Indoor National Championships. In the outdoor season, he recorded the second-fastest time in school history for the 400m (47.14) and third-fastest for the 200m (21.37).

Crabtree excelled at the CCIW Indoor Championships, winning titles in the 3000-meter, mile, and distance medley relay events. She scored a total of 30 points for her team, helping them secure fourth place overall on the women's side. Crabtree qualified for the NCAA Indoor Championships in the mile event and finished as an All-America Second Team honoree by placing thirteenth.

Freshmen Imani Ogunribido and Reece Dusek received "Newcomer of the Year" awards. Ogunribido tied a school record with a triple jump mark of 12.07 meters at the CCIW Indoor Championships, claiming victory in that event while finishing second in the 60-meter dash with a time of 7.84 seconds.

Dusek made his mark by earning spots on ten IWU top-10 lists during his rookie season, including high rankings in both indoor and outdoor events such as the indoor and outdoor 400m races.

Junior Annalese Chudy and senior Josh Klein were named recipients of IWU's "Be at your Best" award.

The women's team captains included seniors Lauren Wong, Jules Grunloh, Amanda Wilson, and Avery Smith; while Evan Lowder served alongside Josh Klein as men's captains along with juniors Matthew Wagner and Nick Fisch.

IWU will compete next week at Rock Island, Ill., participating in May's CCIW Outdoor Championships scheduled from May 3-4.