Leatherneck Track and Field to Compete at John Craft Invitational

Western travels to Eastern Illinois on Jan. 20

MACOMB, Ill. - The Leatherneck indoor track and field team is scheduled to compete in the John Craft Invitational on Saturday (Jan. 20) in Charleston, Illinois. The Invitational is hosted by Eastern Illinois and will be taking place inside the Lantz Indoor Fieldhouse. Field events start at 9 a.m. followed by track events at 11:30 a.m.

PARTICIPATING TEAMS: Danville Community College (Ill.), host Eastern Illinois, Fontbonne, Lindenwood-St. Charles, Maryville, Saint Louis, Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, Western Illinois and UT-Martin.

LAST TIME OUT: Western Illinois returned to competition after a month break at the Panther Open. Freshman Amelia Peterson led the way for the Leathernecks with a pair of first place finishes in the long jump and triple jump, respectively. The Bahamian native finished with a mark of 36-11 (11.25m) in the triple jump and 17-09 1/2 (5.42m) in the long jump. Fellow underclassman Megan Reed finished second (10.86m) behind her in the triple jump. Reed also added a third place finish in the 400-meter dash with a time of 1:04.12. Peterson was not the only Leatherneck to win an event. After finishing second at the Early Bird Opener, sophomore Michaela Bush improved on her time by setting a career best of 1.65m in the high jump. Rounding out the women's side Busch, Reed, Jamieria Stennis and Rachel Hilton took third in the 4x400 meter dash. Freshman Dylan Smerillo paced the Leathernecks with a second-place finish in the 400-meter dash at a time of 50.96. Fellow freshman Cayson Frerichs ran a 2:04.29 to earn third in the 800-meter. Michael Rinella had strong showing with a third place finish in the pole vault with a mark of 4.10m.

HOT START: Dylan Smerillo has already put together an impressive start to his freshman season. After two meets this season, the Minnesotan has added two second-place finishes in the 200 and 400-meter dash. He also contributed to a third-place finish in the 4&400. Fellow freshman Anmeila Peterson has also started the season on a strong note. She has already added a pair of first-place finishes in the high and long jump.

PRESEASON POLL: After finishing in fifth place (26.5) at The Summit League Championships last year, the women's team was picked to finish fourth in a tie with Oral Roberts, ahead of Omaha and Fort Wayne. The men were picked to finish fifth.

UP AHEAD: Following the John Craft Invitational, the Leathernecks will gear up for the Black and Gold Premier hosted by Iowa on Jan. 27.