The Illinois Wesleyan University men's and women's track team opened up the 2023-24 campaign in dominating fashion at their home opener Saturday, Dec. 9 as the Titans claimed nine event wins at the Titan First Chance meet inside the Shirk Center.

Track and Field to Host I-55 Tri

Field events set for 12 p.m start

1/18/2024 3:03:00 PM

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – After a long-awaited return from winter break, the Illinois Wesleyan University men's and women's track and field teams will find themselves back in the Shirk Center Saturday, Jan. 20 as they host Washington University in St. Louis and Elmhurst University for the I-55 Tri. Field events are scheduled for a 12 p.m. start with events on the track set for 12:15 p.m.

A mere six weeks ago, the Titans hosted their first meet of the 2023-2024 season, Dec. 9, which saw IWU secure nine event wins alongside nine top-10 performances in program history, and a school record in the nontraditional 300-meter run.

Sophomore Evan Lowder (Bloomington, Ill.-Normal Community) set a new program record of 34.99 seconds in the men's 300m event on his way to a first place finish at the Titan First Chance meet. Freshmen Reece Dusek and Noah Sadowski (Burr Ridge, Ill.-Hinsdale South), and sophomore Joel Weber (Roanoke, Ill.-Roanoke-Benson) joined Lowder in the men's top-10 for the 300m as Dusek's 35.91-second run was good for fifth in program history while Sadowski ties for eighth (36.93), and Weber rounds out the list at tenth (37.05).

Dusek also etched his name in the program's 60m top-10, tying for No. 9 with a 7.20 second effort and freshman Carson Green (Centralia, Ill.-Centralia) tied at No. 5 (7.12). Freshman Adam Beasley (Bloomington, Ill.-Bloomington) joins fellow high jumper Drew Tatlock (North Pekin, Ill.-Pekin Community HS) at the No. 5 spot in the record books with a 1.95m, 6'2.75" leap. Junior CJ Ladewig (Palos Heights, Ill.-Stagg) notched the final spot in the program's weight throw top-10 with a 15.00m, 49'2.50" throw.

On the women's side, freshman Imani Ogunribido (Hanover Park, Ill.-Lake Park) turned in the program's ninth-best time of 7.84 seconds in the 60m dash while freshman Madyson Synstad (Goodyear, Ariz.-Canyon View) clocked a 9.39-second effort in the 60m hurdles, good for ninth all-time.

The Titans own conference leading marks in the men's and women's 4-by-400-meter relays in addition to Beasley's top-mark in the high jump and Ogunribido in the triple jump (11.40m, 37'5").

A season ago, the Titans hosted two College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin member schools to the I-55 Tri meet. This year, the Titans invite WashU and Elmhurst to the Shirk Center. The weekend will serve as both visiting schools third meet of the season and will be only the second meet for the Green and White.

The meet schedule which includes the estimated starting times, can be accessed here.

Results from the meet will be posted to IWUsports.com upon the conclusion of the meet.

To stay up-to-date on all things IWU track and field, be sure to follow the team on social media @IWU_XCTF on Twitter and @IllinoisWesleyanXCTF on Instagram.

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