Alyssa Johnson Sets 600-Meter Program Record at the Meyo Invitational

Leathernecks wrap up day one of both the Meyo Invitational and the Don DeNoon Invitational

MEYO DAY ONE RESULTS
DON DENOON DAY ONE RESULTS

SOUTH BEND, Ind. & CARBONDALE, Ill. – Alyssa Johnson set a new program record in the 600-meters as the Western Illinois track and field team split squads at the Meyo Invitational in South Bend and the Don DeNoon Invitational in Carbondale on Friday (Feb. 3).

The day was highlighted by Johnson's program record in the 600-meters at the Meyo Invitational. The senior clocked a time of 1:33.60 to place fifth overall, breaking the previous record of 1:34.33 set by Chelsea Lynes in 2012.

"Alyssa had a great race. She couldn't have executed the race plan any better. She was patient and waited until the right moment presented itself and then easily won her heat with a school record performance," said head coach Mike Stevenson. "We had keyed this race to really be her one and only shot at the record. That's a lot of pressure to only give yourself one shot, but she is an amazing competitor and did exactly what she needed to do. I couldn't be more proud of her."

Kaliyah Cobb tied her personal best in the 200 of 25.70, which ranks eighth in program history. Sierra Woods was right behind her with a lifetime best of 26.08.

At the Don DeNoon Invitational, Michaela Busch set personal bests in all five events in her first pentathlon of the season to place second with a total of 3,241 points. Her best performance of the day came in the high jump, where she cleared 5-3 to score 742 points. She scored 736 points in the 60-meter hurdles and placed first in the shot put with a mark of 35-11 ¼ (10.95m, 592 points). Busch also scored 535 points in the long jump (16-1 1/2, 4.91m) and 636 points in the 800 (2:34.63).

Brad Walls set a new personal best for the second straight week in the weight throw, tossing 55-5 3/4 (16.91m) to place sixth. Abbi Smith led in the throws on the women's side, tossing 44-8 (13.61m).

Ashley Graham won her long jump flight, tying her personal best of 16-9 1/4 (5.11m). Matt Simmons led the way in the long jump for the men, leaping to a new best of 20-10 3/4 (6.37m), following by Tevin Taylor, who had a season best of 20-2 1/4 (6.33m).

Action at both the Meyo Invitational and the Don DeNoon Invitational continues Saturday (Feb. 4). Action in Carbondale begins at 10 a.m. with the remaining field events, while competition in South Bend starts at 9 a.m. CT.

Fans can follow along with live results at both the MEYO Invitational and DON DEONOON Invitational.

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