McLean County Times

The NCAA has announced the selection of athletes for the 2025 NCAA West first round, set to commence on May 28 in College Station, Texas. Illinois State University will have ten athletes representing the Redbirds at this event.

Sophomore Immaculate Daniel earned her place in the first round by setting a school record for Illinois State in the 100m dash during the Normal Invite in April. She won the event with a time of 11.33 seconds, ranking as the 31st fastest time in the West.

Senior Corrina Courser and Junior Erin Starks qualified for the women's 100m hurdles at the West Regional after achieving their regional marks at the Fighting Illini Twilight in late April. Courser finished second with a time of 13.36 seconds, while Starks followed closely behind with a mark of 13.41 seconds. Their times were ranked as the 29th and 33rd fastest in the West region, respectively.

Freshman Victor Byaundaombe secured his regional qualifying mark in triple jump at an earlier event this May, becoming the 2025 MVC Outdoor Champion with a mark of 15.32 meters (50-3.25). His performance ranks him as having achieved the 43rd best mark in the West region.

Junior Charles Cruse will represent Illinois State again at this year's NCAA West first round after clearing a height of 5.17 meters (16-11.5) in men's pole vault during April's Normal Invite.

Junior Enyinnaya Nwagwu Jr.'s qualification came from his performance in men's 200m at this year's MVC Outdoor Track & Field Championship where he ran a time of 20.82 seconds, marking it as one of Redbird history's top five times.

Additionally, Illinois State's men's 4x400m relay team comprising Zach Paul, Jake Welch, Evan Watson, and Enyinnaya Nwagwu Jr., secured their spot following their runner-up finish at MVC Outdoor Track & Field Championship with a time of 3:06.89—second-fastest ever recorded by Redbirds—with Sophomore Jaiden Reed serving as alternate for Texas meet.