Jasmine Brown Takes First Twice to Lead Leathernecks at Illini Classic

Brown took first in the long jump and triple jump to lead Western Illinois in Champaign on Saturday (Jan. 17).

Full Meet Results

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Two first place finishes from sophomore Jasmine Brown in the long jump and triple jump helped guide Western Illinois track and field to a seventh place finish at the Illini Classic in Champaign, Illinois on Saturday, January 17.

Brown's performance led the Leathernecks in the field, while Aaliyah White, Katelyn Rhea and Alyssa Johnson led the Purple and Gold on the track with 'Top 10' finishes in the 400 meters for White and Rhea and the 600 meters for Johnson.

"We got a start on our season and I think we learned some valuable lessons on how to compete and what it takes to get to the next level," said head coach Michael Stevenson. "Collectively we need to come together as a more cohesive team. Today we dipped our toes in the pool and now we have to see who is ready willing to jump in the deep end. I am confident we will get much better over the next two weeks."

Other 'Top 10' finishers for the women included a strong showing by Sheila Grant-Shaffer in the shot put (9th) and the weight throw (6th) whilte Megan McGlone finished 10th in the 60 meter hurdles and the 4x400 meter relay team finished eighth.

On the men's side, Xavier Levy came out strong in his first competition of the 2014-15 season, finishing third in the 200 meter dash. Tyler Younkin came across the line close on Levy's heels, finishing sixth. Justin Kilpatrick took home two 'Top 10' finishes in the 60 meter dash (8th) and the 200 meter dash (10th) while Tyler Sucher represented WIU in the field events with a ninth place finish in the long jump.

With the Illini Classic complete, the Leatherneck track and field schedule kicks into full gear as the Purple and Gold face their next competition this coming weekend on Saturday, January 24th at the Eastern Illinois Invitational.