MACOMB, IL - The Western Illinois track and field teams turned in a strong showing Friday at the GVSU Big Meet Friday, hosted by Grand Valley State University. The Leathernecks recorded a school record and multiple personal bests while competing against one of the nation's premier indoor meet fields.

Junior Arnie Grunert highlighted the meet with a second-place finish in the pole vault invite, clearing 5.32 meters to set a new Western Illinois school record. The mark adds to an impressive indoor campaign and stands as one of the top performances in program history.

Graduate student Maleigha Huston delivered one of the top 800-meter performances in program history, placing 11th in the invite section with a time of 2:10.70. The performance moves her to fourth all-time in Western Illinois indoor 800-meter history. On the men's side, graduate student Richard Brown placed 13th in the 800-meter invite.

In the open mile, junior Emma-Kate Watt placed ninth with a personal-best performance, while junior Lydia Bennett finished 11th and also recorded a personal best.

Senior Cage Davison added a fourth-place finish in the long jump invite.

In the women's pole vault, junior Dana Surwillo placed eighth, senior Emma Ponx finished ninth and junior Colleen Johnson took 10th.

Western Illinois will look to build on Friday's performances as the indoor season continues.

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