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Track and Field preps for Iowa State Classic

February 10, 2011

NIU track and fieldThe Northern Illinois track and field team will continue indoor action this weekend when the Huskies travel to Ames, Iowa, to compete in the 2011 Iowa State Classic Friday, Feb. 11, and Saturday, Feb. 12, at Lied Recreation Center.

Facing some of their fiercest competition this season, NIU head track and field coach Connie Teaberry is excited to see how the Huskies step up to the challenge and perform.

“This weekend we’ll travel to Iowa State,” Teaberry said. “There will be more than 30 schools from all over the U.S. there, and it’s just a great competition for our ladies.”

A total of 19 Huskies will represent Northern Illinois at the meet.

Friday’s competition is slated to begin at noon with the weight throw, while running events will begin at 3 p.m. with the distance medley relay. Action will resume Saturday with the mile run at 9 a.m. and field events will follow shortly after with a 10 a.m. start.

With the 2011 Mid-American Conference Championships just two weeks away, NIU hopes to continue to build on the momentum it established during the early season as the Huskies gear up for the end of their indoor schedule.

“This meet will help get us ready for MAC Championships because the competition is so tough,” Teaberry said. “The ladies fared well last year, and they’re in great shape this year. We’ve done great things in the indoor meets we’ve had this season and I’m looking forward to going to Iowa State and having another weekend of strong competition and performances.”

This season the Huskies have recorded 12 first-place finishes and five school records in four competitions. Most recently, the Huskies shattered the 4×200-meter relay and 4×800-meter NIU school records and recorded five first-place finishes at the Indiana Wesleyan Invitational in Marion, Ind. Jan. 29.

Chanel Kellyman, Rebecca Cronin, Brittany Smith and Rasheta Butler teamed up to set a new NIU school record in the 4×200-meter relay (1:43.42), before Cronin, Nora Ferguson, Sunsea Shaw and Courtney Oldenburg combined forces to shatter the NIU 4×800-meter relay record with a time of 9:44.70.

Oldenburg, Janay Mitchell and Butler also recorded first-place finishes in their individual events. Running the 1-mile run, Oldenburg captured the title with a time of 5:14.73. In the sprint events, Mitchell took home first place in the 60-meter dash (7.75) and Butler won the 200-meter dash (25.51).

Following this weekend’s competition the Huskies will have one final tune-up Friday, Feb. 18, at the Ball State Quadrangular before heading to the MAC Championships, hosted by Bowling Green Friday, Feb. 25, and Saturday, Feb. 26.

For more information on NIU track and field and Huskie athletics, visit www.niuhuskies.com.