The Western Illinois track and field teams competed at the GVSU Big Meet in Allendale, MI this past weekend. The Leathernecks walked away from the meet with 10 Top 10 All-Time Performances, and one new school record from Arnie Grunert in the pole vault.

"We had some incredible performances this weekend highlighted by Arnie Grunert breaking his own school record in the men's pole vault. He had some really good attempts at the next bar too which is over 17 feet. His jump of 16' 9.5" ranks him as the 12th best freshman pole vaulter in the entire NCAA," coach Trey Brokaw said. "We were also really happy with the relays and long sprinters. Briza Dure and Lucas Hofer had top-5 performances in school history for the 400 meters. Both athletes are coming around at the right time and look to contribute significantly to our team's success in a few weeks at the conference meet. "

The GVSU Big Meet was the last regular season team competition before The Summit League Conference Championships in Vermillion, SD on Feb. 24 - 25, 2023. The young Fighting Leathernecks head towards conference looking to mix it up in the overall team scores.

"I thought we had a great chance to break school records in some other events this weekend as well. The talent and fitness are there, but confidence and execution are equally as important. We need consistent, confident execution from all event groups in two weeks," says coach Brokaw. "Like it or not, the conference championship meet is how we are judged as a team. If we don't perform better, it will be a tough weekend for us. The past decade has seen Leatherneck track & field teams finish last or near last. We need to change that narrative."

Top 10 All-Time Performers This Weekend:

• Arnie Gruenrt broke his own school record in the pole vault jumping 5.12 meters (16 feet 9.5 inches).

• Aliyah Adams moved to third all-time in the 60 meter hurdles, running 8.87 seconds.

• Paulina Wuestefeld ran the third fastest 5000 meter all-time in 17:35.41.

• Olin Ortiz moved to the third fastest all-time in the 5000 meters, running 15:00.25

• Lucas Hofer ran the fifth fastest all-time in the oversized track 400 meters in 48.99 seconds.

• Briza Dure moved up to the fifth fastest all time in the oversized track 400 meters, running 57.78 seconds.

• The men's 4x400 meter relay (Lucas Hofer, Isaac Jones, Zion Caruthers and Richard Brown) ran the fifth fastest all-time in 3:17.79.

• Robert Perry ran the eighth fastest 5000 meters all-time in 15:13.97.

• Briza Dure ran the ninth fastest all time in the oversized track 200 meters in 25.44 seconds.

• Madison Trevena ran the 10th fastest 5000 meters all time in 17:54.57.