February 21, 2007
Track and Field
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

POLL PREDICTS SYCAMORE MEN 2^ND, WOMEN 3^RD AT MVC INDOOR

ST. LOUIS, Mo.‑ The Indiana State men’s track and field team was picked to finish second in this weekend’s Missouri Valley Conference Indoor Championships while the Sycamore women’s team was picked third in a vote by league coaches. The championships will be held at Southern Illinois University this year starting on Friday and continuing on Saturday.

The University of Northern Iowa men, ranked 13^th by the USTFCCCA and tied for 22^nd by Trackwire, was selected as the pre-championship favorite with 36 points. Right behind is the Sycamores with 30 points. Southern Illinois was picked third with 21 points, Wichita State fourth with 20, Illinois State fifth with 10 and Drake sixth with nine points.

“This will be an exciting meet,” men’s head coach John McNichols said. “It is a tight track but one that we are familiar with. Northern Iowa is a strong team with very competitive athletes but this meet on this type of track is an equalizer. This meet is going to be very interesting.”

The Sycamore women were selected third in the poll of coaches. Wichita State was the pre-championship favorite with 64 points while Northern Iowa was second with 50 and Indiana State third with 43 points. They are followed by Southern Illinois in fourth with 38, Illinois State fifth with 36, Missouri State sixth with 30, Drake seventh with 19 and Bradley eighth with eight points.

The ISU men have had several of the top performances in the Valley this indoor season. Jeramie Gray had the best time in the 60 meters, with Steve Daniel tops in the triple jump, and Jordan Fife has the best time this season in the 3,000 meters. Sean Bowman and Jordan Fife are second and third, respectively, in the mile, Justin Kunz is second and Scott Keeney third in the 5,000 meters, Paladin Jordan fourth in the 60 meter high hurdles, Brandon Youngdale third and Curt Sunderland fifth in the high jump, Jake Conn fifth in the pole vault, Rylen Peterson fourth in the long jump, Corey Dowden is second and Paladin Jordan fourth in the triple jump, Jeremy Gillingham third and Matt Holbrook fourth in the shot put, Gillingham third and Lyle Nolcox fourth in the weight throw, and Anthony Bertoli fifth in the heptathlon.

The Sycamore women have also had some top performances in the conference during this indoor season. Dani Prince has the best time in the 3,000 meters and the fifth best in the mile while Kylie Hutson has the best vault in the pole vault and is also a NCAA provisional qualifier in that event. Erica Moore has the best point total in the indoor pentathlon for the women this season. Jeanne Roberts had the fifth best time in the 60 meters, Laura Engle fourth in the 3,000 meters, Santia Spight second in the high jump, Janae Bridges second in the long jump, and Lauren Martin fifth in the triple jump.