MACOMB, Ill. - After the first two weeks of the 2011-12 indoor season, the Western Illinois track and field program has a strong presence in the national rankings. Six Western Illinois student-athletes currently sit in the country's Top 50 rankings.
The Fighting Leathernecks opened the season at Illinois State's Redbird Open (Dec. 3) and collected nine top three finishes overall. Junior Chelsea Lynes' victory in the women's one-mile run highlighted that effort and the Woodstock, Ontario native currently ranks 26th in the nation with a track-adjusted time of 5:08.99. Her performance also sits second in The Summit League behind IPFW's Sarah Hutchings (5:06.62).
Sophomore Michael Crabtree (Hampton, Ill./United Township) placed second in the men's high jump by reaching a height of 6-08.00. That effort, just shy of his personal best of 6-08.75, ranks 34th nationally and first in the conference.
Senior Dana LaRue (South Holland, Ill./Thornwood), the 2009-10 Summit League indoor shot put champion, anchored a strong effort by the women's throws group. She placed third in the shot put with a throw of 45-07.25 and currently ranks 38th in the nation. In the conference rankings, LaRue sits behind North Dakota State's Emily Lesser (45-11.75) and South Dakota State's Brooke Garner (45-11.25).
Senior Carianna Cottone (Bloomington, Ill./Normal Community West) set a personal best and came in a close second in the women's 3000-meter run. Cottone's track-adjusted time of 10:21.90 sits 46th nationally and second in the conference behind Hutchings (10:13.79).
Highlighting his busy day, junior Davin Dollison (Champaign, Ill./Champaign Centennial) finished fifth in the men's triple jump. His leap of 46-00.00 ranks 50th in the nation and third in the conference.
In her first career performance after transferring from Aurora University, sophomore Krystle Eskridge (Des Moines, Iowa/Glenbard East) placed fifth in the women's 800-meter run. With a track-adjusted time of 2:20.87, Eskridge ranks first in the conference and 50th nationally.
The Fighting Leathernecks are off during the university's winter break and will compete again Saturday, Jan. 14 in Iowa City at the Iowa Open. For a complete list of the updated national and conference rankings, click HERE.
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