Leathernecks Collect Double-Digit Victories at Monmouth Midweek Invitational

MONMOUTH, Ill. – Juniors Lizzy Jones and Jason Crisman both won two throws events and the Fighting Leathernecks collected 14 victories overall Tuesday night at the Monmouth Midweek Invitational. Western Illinois competed against host Monmouth College, Knox College and Illinois Wesleyan.

Crisman, who was named The Summit League Men's Track and Field Athlete of the Week, won both the men's shot put (51-11.00) and discus (162-10) events. Meanwhile junior Paul Hames won the men's hammer throw (169-05) and finished third in the discus throw (151-08).

In women's throws, Jones captured victories in both the discus and hammer throw. Jones, who set personal bests in both events last weekend at the Musco Twilight XII, won the discus with a throw of 139-04 and the hammer with a toss of 155-01. Fellow junior Dana LaRue won the shot put with a throw of 45-04.25 and placed second behind Jones in the discus (131-03).

In the women's pole vault, junior Nichole Manning extended her winning streak to three by clearing a height of 12-06.25. Manning, who holds the Western Illinois outdoor pole vault record (12'11.50), has now won four of her five events thus far this outdoor season. Her performance is a season-best and ranks 102nd in the nation. Also in the women's pole vault, senior Tyra Woodruff set a personal-best (11-06.50) in a third-place finish that ranks fifth in program history.

In the men's long jump, sophomore Zach Glasebrook collected his third victory of the outdoor season with a leap of 21-08.00 and sophomore Davin Dollison finished third (20-07.25). Junior Michael Hemming won the men's 400-meter dash (51.02) and senior Tim Williams was victorious in the men's javelin throw (146-00).

In the women's track events, sophomore Chelsea Lynes won the women's 800-meter run with a mark of 2:14.95 and junior Carianna Cottone placed first in the 1,500-meter run (4:54.52). Elsewhere, junior Miranda Brockman easily won the 400-meter hurdles with a mark of 1:05.82. The women's 4x400-meter relay squad of senior Anne Borgertpoepping, Brockman, sophomore Danyelle Ehredt and Cottone picked up a win with a time of 4:02.66.

Western Illinois runner-ups include sophomores Davin Dollison (triple jump-45-05.25), Megan Wyffels (javelin throw-92-00), Chase Marlow (1500-meter run-4:15.66), Matt Leal (400 meter hurdles-54.42) and the men's 4x400-meter relay squad (3:18.93). Freshman high jumper Michael Crabtree cleared a personal-best height of 6-06.25 in a third place finish.

The majority of the Western Illinois track and field program will compete next at Butler's Stan Lyons Invitational in Indianapolis, Ind. on Saturday, April 30. Senior Nikki Klier and sophomore Chelsea Lynes will travel to Stanford, Calif. to participate in the Payton Jordan Invitational on Sunday, May 1.

The Payton Jordan Invitational, held at Cobb Track and Angell Field, only accepts the top verifiable or speculative performances in all events and has a very strict declaration process. It is one of the premier track and field meets in the country and provides athletes an opportunity to achieve high quality performances for the NCAA Division I Outdoor Championships.