Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State University
Illinois Invitational
Several Spartans Deliver Personal Bests At Illinois Invitational
1/21/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track and Field
Jan. 21, 2006
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Several members of the Michigan State women's track and field team posted personal bests at the Illinois Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 22, including Paris Mandy (200 m), Aimee Keenan (600 m), Etienne Chaplin (long jump, shot put) and Jackie Walton (60-meter hurdles). Four runners (Katie Kelly, Emily Adama, Michelle Rafferty and Nicole Bush) clocked personal best times in the mile run.
Overall, the Spartans finished fifth in the invitational with 54 points in its second indoor event of the season.
Senior Erica Bailey (Milwaukee, Wis.) led the Spartans, finishing in the top three in two field events. Her 17.15-meter (56-3.25) toss in the weight throw earned her second place, and her throw of 13.87 meters (45-6.25) was good for third in the shot put. In addition, Meagan Halliwill recorded a personal best in the weight throw with a toss of 14.57 m (47-09.75).
Michigan State shined in the long jump, as three Spartans finished in the top five. Sophomore Etienne Chaplin (Chicago, Ill.) finished second with personal-best distance of 5.82 meters (19-1.25), and also finished sixth in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.84. She also recorded a throw of 11.05 meters (36-03.00) in the shot put, a personal best.
Senior Taren James (Long Beach, Calif.) finished third in the long jump with a jump of 5.79 meters (19-0.00), and sophomore Chaquerra Allen (Hilliard, Ohio) jumped 5.53 meters (18-1.75) for a fifth-place finish.
In running events, senior Aimee Keenan (Bellmont, Mich.) finished third in the 600-meter dash with a personal-best time of 1:34.91. Sophomore Nicole Bush (Wyoming, Mich.) ran the 1-mile race in a personal-best time of 4:51.57 for fourth place.
"We're really progressing as a team," said MSU head coach Angela Goodman. "I'm seeing some really good things this early in the season. We had some really good times and performances this weekend."
The Spartans return to action next Saturday, Jan. 28, when they travel to Ypsilanti, Mich., for the Michigan Intercollegiates.
