2006 Track and Field - Cougars Head to Illinois Invitational

		Track and Field	Men's Track and Field Women's Track and Field SIUE Athletics

2006 Schedule

Men's Performance Grid

Women's Performance Grid

January 17, 2006

Cougars Head to Illinois Invitational
        The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville track teams head to the Illinois Invitational this weekend in Champaign.
        “I think the U of I meet will be a good test to see where we are,” said SIUE men’s track and field coach David Astrauskas. “This meet will be another competitive meet, and I look forward to seeing how our team performs in such a competitive environment.”
        The Cougars opened up the indoor season with trip to the Missouri Invitational last Friday.
        “I felt that overall our teams came out and competed very well for the first meet of the season,” said SIUE women’s track and field coach Ben Beyers. “We could see some first-meet jitters. The teams really seemed to settle down as the meet wore on.”
        Anthony Weber (Marengo) set a new school record in the pole vault with a mark of 16 feet, 4.75 inches (4.75 meters). Weber finished third in the event.
        “Anthony is self-motivated and has a great work ethic,” said Astrauskas. “It is nice to see him start on such a high note.”
        Kyle Rose (Kankakee) won the 200 meters with a time of 22.67 seconds. Rose also finished second in the 400 meters with a mark of 48.48.
        “Kyle really came out and began to pick up right where he left off last season,” said Beyers. “He’s dedicated himself to getting better this season. I was really happy with how he executed his races.”
        The men’s 1,600-meter relay team finished in third place with a time of 3:19.67.
        “I know the guys wanted to come out and make the national list in their first race,” said Beyers. “Now they’ll have to focus on winning races and running even faster.”
        On the women’s side, Christine Butler (Matteson) came in third in the triple jump with a mark of 38 feet, two inches (11.63 meters).
        “Christine showed a little nerves and rust in her first few jumps,” said Beyers. “After that, she settled down and was able to get a couple of good jumps out there.”
        The women’s 1,600-meter relay team notched a time of 3:53.32, placing in third at the meet.
        “I think they ran well,” said Beyers. “We will certainly need to lower that time if we want to get back to the national meet in this event, but I thought the girls came out and competed well.”
                -siue cougars-