Western Illinois Track Team Heads to Drake Relays To Compete
The Western Illinois men’s and women’s outdoor track and field team heads west this week for one of the country’s most prestigious events, the Drake Relays.
Events start on Wednesday and end on Saturday for Leatherneck athletes. In total, the Leathernecks have 16 entries on the women’s side and 12 for the men.
Matthew Thomas starts the week for the Leathernecks, participating in the decathlon, beginning on Wednesday. On Thursday, focus turns to the track as Drake hosts its Distance Carnival. Logan Lommel and Aylana Cezar compete in the men’s and women’s steeplechase events while Madison Trevena and Logan Beckmier are in the 10K.
Also on Thursday, Maleigha Huston runs the women’s 800 and Mohammed Baghati competes in the men’s 1500.
On Friday and Saturday, Leathernecks compete in prelims and finals of their events against some of the best track and field athletes in the country. All meet information, including a schedule, results and stream can be found HERE.
LAST WEEK: At the Musco Twilight, weather dominated the day as cool, windy conditions impacted athletes.
One person who had no struggles with the weather was Leatherneck Arnie Grunert. The sophomore pole vaulter set a new program record, clearing 17 feet, 4.5 inches. The vault ranks Grunert 28th in Division I this season and tops in the Ohio Valley Conference.
WHAT’S NEXT: Western Illinois continues its Iowa swing, going a few miles north of Des Moines next Friday to Ames to participate in the Iowa State Alumni Open.
