Illinois State's track and field team posted impressive results at the Dr. Rick McGuire Invitational in Columbia, Missouri, over the weekend. The Redbirds competed strongly against competitive Midwest programs, with several athletes securing top finishes in various events. Both the men's and women's squads contributed to the team's positive showing.
The Dr. Rick McGuire Invitational took place on Friday and Saturday in Columbia, Missouri, drawing strong competition from Midwest programs. Illinois State's Redbirds made their mark across multiple events, demonstrating depth and skill in both track and field disciplines.
On the men's side, Ryan Schaefer anchored the heptathlon efforts. He placed fourth in the shot put with a mark of 11.91 meters and competed in the 60-meter hurdles on the second day against a tough field that included North Dakota State's Zach McGlynn, the overall leader. Trey Thomas also performed well, earning top-10 finishes in the 60-meter dash and 60-meter hurdles before securing eighth place in the hurdles final.
The women's team showed particular strength in sprint events. In the 60-meter hurdles, Erin Starks finished sixth with a time of 8.77 seconds, while Macee Rivers took eighth at 8.83 seconds. The 60-meter dash saw even stronger results, with sophomore Immaculate Daniel claiming second place in 7.37 seconds and Lindsey Miller right behind in third at 7.48 seconds.
In the 400-meter run, Chavi Flowers placed 12th with 56.70 seconds, and Star Mpama finished 16th at 57.01 seconds. Field events featured Ava Lawless in 11th place in the triple jump with 11.94 meters on her second attempt, followed by Madison Saunders in 19th at 11.48 meters. Kiley Sanders was the sole Redbird in the high jump, clearing 1.65 meters.
Overall, the meet highlighted the Redbirds' competitiveness early in the indoor season, setting a solid foundation for future competitions.
