2006 Track and Field - Cougars Find Success At Illinois Invitational

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January 23, 2006

Cougars Find Success At Illinois Invitational
        The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville men’s and women’s indoor track and field teams competed at the Illinois Invitational last weekend.
        The meet featured mostly Division I schools, but the Cougars had some top performers on both sides.
        “This was a very challenging meet competition-wise, but we really feel that our teams need to compete,” said SIUE track and field coach Dave Astrauskas. “I was very happy that we came out and competed well. I think we’ve gotten off to a tremendous start for our 2006 season.”
        Kyle Rose (Kankakee) won the 200 and the 400 meters provisionally qualifying nationally for both events. Rose finished with a time of 22.12 seconds, setting a new school record at 200 meters. He posted a mark of 48.96 at 400 meters.
        “Kyle continues to develop and improve every meet,” said SIUE track and field coach Ben Beyers. “He’s really stepped up in terms of his preparation this year, both physically and mentally.”
        Ben Willard (Manito) provisionally qualified nationally in the weight throw with a toss of 55 feet, 11.75 inches (17.06 meters) to place fourth at the event.
        “Ben has been struggling with his technique and I think this meet was a confidence builder for him,” said Astrauskas. “We will continue to focus on technique and will be focusing on three turns which should ultimately help him reach further distances.”
        The men’s 1,600 meter relay team qualified nationally and won the event with a time of 3:17.21. The team was comprised of Rose, Jonathan Bannister (Plano, Texas), Chris Wright (Richton Park), and Chris Littleton (Champaign).
        “These guys definitely showed some fire and intensity in this race,” said Beyers. “I’m very happy that they came out ready to win the race. A time this fast in only our second meet certainly speaks volumes on where we could be headed to by the end of the season.”
        One the women’s side, the 1,600 meter team that consisted of Kimetha Williams (Bellevue, Neb.), Jessica Levy (Des Plaines), Valerie Simmons (St. Louis, Mo.), and Deserea Brown (Flossmoor), qualified provisionally for the national meet with a time of 3:47.30.
        “I was very happy that the ladies came out and improved on last week’s performance,” said Beyers. “I think they’re still finding their rhythm and timing a little, and I’m sure we’ll continue to see this team improve as the season progresses.”
        Williams set the school record in the 600 meters with a time of 1:36.09.
        “Kimetha really ran a great race strategically,” said Beyers. “She was able to focus on the race plan and executed it very well.”
        Lindsey DeFevers (Virden) is a national provisional qualifier in the shot put with a throw of 45 feet, one inch (13.78 meters).
        “Lindsey had a real nice meet, said Astrauskas. “She was a qualifier in the shot put last year, but is definitely a quicker and more explosive this season.”
        The Cougars will be back in action at the Hoosier Relays on Feb. 3-4.
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