McLean County Times

Wind gusts reaching 40 mph did not deter the Illinois Wesleyan University (IWU) track and field athletes at the Redbird Challenge hosted by Illinois State University. The hammer throw was the sole event on March 28, where three IWU Titans participated. The event saw strong performances from both the men's and women's teams, despite the blustery weather conditions.

Senior Carlyssa King, hailing from Decatur, Illinois, and representing Forsyth-Maroa, set an impressive opening mark in the women's hammer throw. With a throw measuring 52.78 meters (173 feet, 2 inches) in the preliminaries, King secured the top position among the 21 participants in the field. Her throw currently stands as the leading mark in Division III this season, showcasing her competitive edge.

On the men's side, seniors CJ Ladewig from Palos Heights, Illinois, representing Stagg, and Sam Hea, from Quincy, Illinois, representing Quincy Notre Dame, both delivered personal-best performances. Ladewig clinched the runner-up position with a 53.85-meter (176 feet, 8 inches) throw coming on his sixth and final attempt. This achievement moved him to third-place in IWU history and fifth in Division III rankings. Meanwhile, Hea marked a personal best with a 42.19-meter (138 feet, 5 inches) throw, improving his previous best by over three meters.

Competitions will persist at the Redbird Challenge on March 29, while another group of IWU athletes will participate in the Big Blue Alumni Invite in Decatur, Illinois. Field events are scheduled to commence at 10 a.m. at both venues, with running events following at noon.