The Western Illinois University track and field teams competed at the GVSU Big Meet on Friday, hosted by Grand Valley State University. The Leathernecks saw notable results, including a new school record and several personal bests.
Junior Arnie Grunert achieved 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,” according to the university.
Graduate student Maleigha Huston placed 11th in the 800-meter invite with a time of 2:10.70, moving her to fourth all-time in Western Illinois indoor 800-meter history. On the men’s side, graduate student Richard Brown finished 13th in his event.
In the open mile, junior Emma-Kate Watt finished ninth with a personal best. Junior Lydia Bennett was close behind in 11th place, also recording a personal best.
Senior Cage Davison earned fourth place in the long jump invite.
In women’s pole vault competition, junior Dana Surwillo took eighth place, senior Emma Ponx finished ninth, and junior Colleen Johnson was tenth.
Western Illinois competes as an NCAA Division I program within the Ohio Valley Conference and is based in Macomb, Illinois (https://goleathernecks.com/sports/womens-track-and-field). The women’s track and field team has previously recorded significant achievements such as All-Academic Team recognition for student-athletes’ academic performance and has contributed to women’s athletics at the university since the early 1900s (https://goleathernecks.com/sports/womens-track-and-field).
“The Leathernecks recorded a school record and multiple personal bests while competing against one of the nation’s premier indoor meet fields,” stated officials from Western Illinois University.
The team plans to build on these performances as their indoor season continues.
For further updates on Leatherneck Track & Field, information is available at GoLeathernecks.com or through their social media platforms.
