The Illinois State University track and field team is set to compete in the fifth annual Windy City Invitational in Chicago. Hosted by the University of Wisconsin, the event takes place on February 6-7 at the Dr. Conrad Worrill Track and Field Center at Gately Park. It features top athletes from several universities, with live streaming available on RunnerSpace.
The Redbirds will face strong competition at the Windy City Invitational, including select sprinters, hurdlers, distance runners, and throwers from Purdue, Indiana, Louisville, Tennessee, Tulane, and host Wisconsin.
Purdue's women's team brings ranked performers in the 60m hurdles, 200m, and 400m, all within the national top 20. Wisconsin's men's 800m group holds the eighth spot nationally. Tennessee stands out with its men's indoor team ranked second overall, leading in the 60m dash and pole vault while placing fifth in the 400m. The Volunteers' women rank 10th as a team, with top-five national positions in the 60m, pole vault, and 200m, plus 19th in the 3000m. These rankings come from the USTFCCCA.
Last weekend, three Illinois State multi-event athletes competed at the Dr. Rick McGuire Invitational in Columbia, Missouri. Sydney Skarich achieved a personal best of 3387 points in the pentathlon, finishing 10th, and set a record 10.52m in the shot put. Ryan Schaefer placed fourth in the heptathlon with a personal-record 5127 points and a 11.91m shot put throw. Trey Thomas earned 4550 points for sixth in the heptathlon, recording personal bests in the shot put, pole vault, long jump, 60m dash, and 1000m.
Recent USTFCCCA #EventSquad rankings highlight Redbird strengths. The men's shot put group, featuring freshmen Zach Cowper and Jo Atkins alongside juniors Jacob Klink and Garrett Taylor, ranks seventh nationally with a 69.22m total and 17.30m average. The men's high jump squad, including freshman Voldy Makabu, senior Rob Pulliam, junior Kaden Stewart, and sophomore Trey Thomas, is 11th at 8.23m total and 2.06m average. The women's 60m hurdles group with seniors Macee Rivers and Erin Starks, plus juniors Nya Browne and Cambria Geyer, sits 17th with a 33.95-second total and 8.49-second average.
Events start at 1:00 p.m. on Friday and 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, with live results online.
