CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - Senior Amy Byers' program record in the 400-meter hurdles highlighted a solid effort for Western Illinois track and field Friday (May 4) at Northern Iowa's Messersmith Invitational.
Byers, a native of Ferris, Ill., placed third in the women's 400-meter hurdles competition with a program record time of 1:00.95. Byers held the previous record, 1:01.03, set at the 2009 Oregon Classic. Her effort currently ranks third in The Summit League.
The Fighting Leathernecks had a strong showing in the men's hammer throw. Sophomore Nathaniel Marshall placed eighth in the event (183-00) while senior Paul Hames set a personal best. Hames finished in ninth with an effort of 181-05, which ranks seventh in program history and fourth in the conference.
Dana LaRue and Jessica Ortega were impressive in the women's shot put. LaRue finished in fifth with a toss of 47-05.00 and Ortega placed seventh with a personal best. Her throw of 45-06.50 ranks ninth in program history and sixth in the conference. Ortega also placed sixth in the hammer throw with an effort of 170-07.
Junior Jeffrey Liles set a personal best in the men's 400-meter hurdles. He placed third with a time of 53.46, which ranks fifth in The Summit League.
Sophomore Zach Glasebrook won the men's long jump competition with a season-best leap of 23-02.50, which ranks seventh in The Summit League. He also placed second in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 15.61.
In the women's triple jump, freshman Megan McGlone won the event with a leap of 38-06.25. Her season-best effort (38-07.00) at the SIUE Gateway Classic ranks third in the conference.
Senior Lizzy Jones placed second in the women's discus throw (150-03) and seventh in the hammer throw (170-05). Senior Nichole Manning cleared a season-best height (11-07.75) and placed second in the women's pole vault.
Senior Jordan Liles placed second in the men's javelin throw (190-07) and sophomore Jeff Veal finished third in the men's pole vault event by clearing a height of 14-05.25.
Western Illinois concludes a busy weekend Saturday (May 5) by competing at the Wisconsin Open and Monmouth College's Fighting Scot Invitational.
