McLean County Times

Returning to the Shirk Center track after a month-long hiatus, Illinois Wesleyan University's men's and women's track and field teams achieved twelve first-place finishes at the I-55 Invitational on January 18.

Senior athletes CJ Ladewig and Carlyssa King led the way by winning the men's and women's weight throw competitions. Ladewig recorded a throw of 15.85 meters, while King's mark of 15.72 meters was notably over six feet further than her nearest competitor. In shot put events, senior Matthew Wagner and sophomore Lauryn Moore secured victories for their respective teams. Wagner matched his career-best with a throw of 14.06 meters, while Moore achieved a season-best of 10.86 meters.

Sophomore Matt Lindberg excelled in the men's high jump with a personal best of 2.01 meters, ranking fifth in program history indoors and tied for fourth nationally in Division III this season. Freshman Nick Walker followed closely with a jump of 1.95 meters, placing him 22nd nationally.

In other events, sophomore Imani Ogunribido dominated the women's triple jump with an impressive leap of 11.94 meters, while senior Sam Okewole finished second in the men's triple jump at 13.23 meters.

The Titans also showed strength in distance races; junior Adriana Crabtree set a school record in the women's nontraditional 1200m race with a time of 3:49.47, closely followed by senior Emma McGrath who finished second at 3:49.88—both times marking top performances in program history.

Senior Ernie Waterson won the men's equivalent race clocking in at 3:09.91—the third-fastest time recorded for IWU—and junior Seth Hamerski's personal best placed him third.

IWU swept both men’s and women’s categories in the 3000m races as seniors Nick Fisch and Annalese Chudy took first place with times of 8:58.49 and 10:38.72 respectively.

Freshman Alex Reinhart emerged victorious in the women's 800m race posting a time of 2:20.74, while she also contributed to IWU's win in the women’s relay alongside Crabtree and seniors Bella Gonzalez and Jordynn Griffin with a final time of 4:10.08.

Freshman Caroline Hill made her debut run memorable by finishing second in her first collegiate race—the women’s 400m—with a time of 1:08.54.

The Titans are scheduled to compete again next Friday when they host the Jason Dennis Invitational at Shirk Center.