CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (1/24/25) – Carly Pujol recorded a big career best in the women’s pole vault to highlight Friday’s competition for the Arkansas State track and field teams at the Fighting Illini Challenge.

The Cape Girardeau, Mo., native vaulted a career-best 4.03m (13-2.5) to move to second in program history in the event. She placed second on Friday behind the current NCAA leader. Kaci Andrus followed in fourth with a clearance of 3.58m (11-9).

Matthew Williams also recorded a career-best performance in the men’s long jump, leaping 7.24m (23-9.0) to place second.

Three Red Wolves advanced to Saturday’s 60-meter hurdles finals, led by Kenyon Parker, who ran a season-best 8.17. Josh Jones ran 8.24 while Will Glass finished in 8.56.

Parker later placed fifth in the men’s high jump with a clearance of 1.95m (6-4.75).

Camren Bailey posted the top qualifying mark in the men’s 60-meter prelims, clocking a season-best 6.87. Javarian Otey followed in second at 6.95 with Glass in 7.08, both joining Bailey in Saturday’s final.

Noa Isaia placed third in the men’s weight throw, tossing 19.48m (63-11). Chris Boyd (14.95/49-0.75) and Cameron Slavin (13.14m/43-1.5) also competed, placing ninth and 11^th. In the women’s weight throw, Michelle Ogbemudia came in fifth with a mark of 19.41m (63-8.25).

In the women’s long jump, Kiara Strayhorn (5.73m/18-9.75) and Me’Kiyah Earnest (5.13m/16-10.0) placed eighth and 12^th, respectively.

NEXT UP

The Fighting Illini Challenge wraps up Saturday in Champaign. After competing in Illinois, the Red Wolves return to action in a pair of meets next week. Some athletes will head to Louisville, Ky., for the PNC Lenny Lyles Invitational while others will compete in Texas Tech’s Stan Scott Invitational in Lubbock, Texas.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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