McLean County Times

The Illinois Wesleyan University track and field teams are preparing for a two-meet weekend, with a limited squad heading to the Grand Valley State University Big Meet in Allendale, Michigan on February 14, and a larger group traveling to Monmouth, Illinois for the Roger Haynes Invitational on February 15.

Recently, the Titans hosted a two-day meet that resulted in 15 top-five finishes and three event wins at the Keck DIII Select. Seven athletes improved their standings in the program's top-10 list across eight events. Senior Carlyssa King set a new school record with a weight throw of 17.62 meters, ranking second in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) and 15th nationally in Division III this season. Additionally, King entered the program's top-10 list for shot put at eighth place with an 11.29-meter throw.

Sophomore Matt Lindberg achieved a personal best with a high jump clearance of 2.04 meters, placing him second in CCIW rankings and fifth in IWU's records. Other athletes moving into the program's top-10 list include seniors Alex Harvey (60m), Nick Fisch (5000m), Ernie Waterson (mile), junior Adriana Crabtree (3000m), and freshman Alex Reinhart (800m).

With just two weeks until the conference championships, IWU holds 23 top-five marks across 16 events. Leading performances include Crabtree in both the mile and 3000m races, as well as sophomore Imani Ogunribido in the triple jump.

Eight male athletes will compete individually at GVSU: Harvey (60m hurdles), Fisch and freshman Jack Thomas (5000m), Lindberg (high jump), senior CJ Ladewig (weight throw), junior Isaac Whitaker (pole vault), along with junior Evan Lowder and sophomore Reece Dusek (400m). On the women's side, five Titans will participate: King (weight throw), Crabtree (mile), Reinhart (800m), Ogunribido (triple jump), and senior Annalese Chudy (5000m).

The competition at GVSU begins at 8:30 a.m. ET on Friday while Saturday’s meet at Monmouth starts at 10:45 a.m.