Illinois State Wins Eight Events at Titan Open – Illinois State University Athletics

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – With a smaller squad than usual, the Illinois State track & field program netted eight event wins at the Titan Open on Saturday afternoon, sweeping all four throwing events, the pole vaults and 3000m races.

Sophomore Payton Taylor won two events on the day, placing first in both the men’s shot put and weight throw. In the shot put, Taylor tossed a throw of 15.71m (51-6.5 ft.), just shy of his season best. Taylor also set a big personal best in the weight throw with a mark of 16.35m (53-7.75 ft.), improving his previous best by over five feet.

Competing in the shot put for the second day in a row, sophomore Mye’Joi Williams claimed first for the women with a toss of 14.75m (48-4.75 ft.). With the win, Williams has now won the event three times on the season.

In the women’s weight throw, senior Hannah Johnson tossed her second-best mark of the season at 17.30m (56-9.25 ft.) to win the event. Freshman Taylor Kesner finished in second with a personal best throw of 16.24m (53-3.5 ft.).

Fifth-year senior Sam Peschke set a season best with his win in the men’s pole vault, clearing 4.55m (14-11 ft.). The mark was Peshke’s highest indoor clearance since the 2021 MVC Championships.

Securing her first event win of the season, senior Ali Cranston placed first in the women’s pole vault, matching her season-best clearance of 3.50m (11-5.75 ft.), which she has achieved at two other meets.

To finish off the day, juniors Kendy Ummel and Tyler Polak swept the women’s and men’s 3000m races, respectively. Ummel won in a time of 10:31.06, while Polak clocked an 8:47.63.

UP NEXT

The Redbirds will be back in action next weekend for its final regular season tune up at the Illini Classic in Champaign, Illinois on Friday, Feb. 18. A small group of Redbirds will also travel to South Bend, Indiana for the Alex Wilson Invite on Saturday, Feb. 19.

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