McLean County Times

The Illinois State track and field team faced off against Indiana State in the Coughlan-Malloy Cup at Horton Field House. Despite a strong performance, the Redbirds were narrowly defeated by the Sycamores with a score of 157-145. Illinois State secured 14 event wins during the competition.

Freshman Immaculate Daniel made an impressive debut by setting both an Illinois State school record and a Coughlan-Malloy Cup record in the 60m dash with a time of 7.26 seconds. As of January 17, this time ranks as the sixth fastest in the NCAA.

Senior Mattison Plummer won the women's 3000m race with a time of 9:38.15, placing her seventh on Illinois State's top-10 list and breaking another meet record. Senior Kiley Sanders set a new meet record in the women's high jump with a mark of 1.78 meters.

In men's events, senior Sean Hopkins claimed victory in the long jump with a mark of 7.11 meters, while junior Charles Cruse won the pole vault event with a height of 4.86 meters.

Freshman Astor Snider achieved second place in men's triple jump with his personal best mark of 14.77 meters, ranking him 51st nationally.

In other notable performances, senior Caleb Lerus won the men's 300m dash, while junior Jake Welch took first place in the men's 500m run. Junior Yusuf Baig earned victory in his season debut for men's 1000m run.

On the women's side, junior Star Mpama led an Illinois State sweep in the women's 500m race, and sophomore Colleen Zeibert topped her teammate Trixie Johnson to win their event.

Illinois State's relay teams excelled as well; both men’s and women’s teams swept their respective categories in the 4x400m relay races.

The Redbirds will travel next to Iowa City for their upcoming competition at Larry Wieczorek Invitational hosted by University of Iowa.