Turner and Krapf Key `Birds at Iowa State Classic :: Turner broke the 10-minute mark as she finished 11th overall with a time of 9:48.62 in the 3,000.

Turner broke the 10-minute mark as she finished 11th overall with a time of 9:48.62 in the 3,000.

Feb. 16, 2008

AMES, Iowa - Senior Suzy Turner set a new season and personal-best in the 3,000-meter run, while senior Scott Krapf crossed the finish line with a personal-best eight minutes, 21.40 seconds in the men's 3,000 to lead the Illinois State track and field team in the final day of competition at the Iowa State Classic Saturday.

Turner broke the 10-minute mark as she finished 11th overall with a time of 9:48.62 in the 3,000. Krapf also finished 11th and was joined by teammate Mike Richardson who also had a personal-best performance finishing in 8:23.26 (14th).

Illinois State head track and field coach Elvis Forde felt Turner had an exceptional performance this weekend.

"Suzy really looked confident," said Forde. "She helped our distance medley relay Friday and she still looked fresh and strong today in the 3,000 (meter run). I think that this weekend was huge for her and I am excited to see what she can do the rest of the season."

In the women's track events, senior Devon Williams made it into the semifinals in the 60-meter dash, finishing with a time of 7.60 sec. Freshman Michelle Brunk set a new personal-best (2:15.24) in the 800-meters and placed 31st in a field of 51 competitors.

In the field junior Samantha Springer threw a distance of 42-09.73 in the shot put to take 33rd overall. Freshman Caitlin Roberts placed 11th in the high jump, reaching a height of 5-05.

"The women really had a solid performance this weekend," said Forde. "I feel we are at a good point and if we can continually improve and stay well we are going to be ready for the conference meet in two weeks."

On the men's side, Sophomore Rob Barkulis placed fifth with a personal-best (4:18.39) in the non-seeded finals of the mile. Freshman John Navarro took 25th with a personal-best time of 8:34.17 in the 3,000-meters. Senior DeAndre Tillman finished the 400-meter dash with a season-best 48.93 (34th), while sophomore Anthony Jacks finished 59th overall with a season-best performance (49.80 sec.).

In the field, senior Alex Straughn placed 8th in the high jump with a height of 6-09, while teammate Drew Holl also hit a height of 6-09, good enough for 12th place in the event.

"The men's team really needs to focus on consistent performances," said Forde. "We are not where we want to be, but I am confident that in the next two weeks leading up to the conference meet we will be able to make adjustments and get back on track."

The day concluded with the 4x400-meter relays. Both the ISU men's and women's teams achieved season-best times as the women placed 28th with a time of 3:54.62, while the men's team turned in a time of 3:18.18 (25th).

The Illinois State men's and women's track and field teams have two weeks to fine tune their performances before the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Championships (March 1-2 in Cedar Falls). The team will compete again Feb. 22 at the Eastern Illinois Twilight in Charleston, Ill.