The Tribune-Star
WALNUT, Calif. —
Indiana State senior Craig Padgett broke a five-year-old school record in the 10,000 meters late Thursday night and junior Albaro Escalera ran the third fastest 10,000 meters in school history at Hilmer Lodge Stadium during the 54th Mt. SAC Relays.
Padgett finished 12th overall with a time of 29:38.70 to break the old school record of 29:51.66 set by Justin Kunz in 2007. Escalera was 16th in 29:55.38.
“The plan was to have both guys just relax in the big field and hit checkpoints throughout the race,” ISU assistant track and field coach Geoff Wayton said. “This way they could just focus on the feel and not react to lap splits.”
The approach worked really well as both Sycamores were dead-on through the 5K mark.
“Al got a little separated and got caught in no-mans-land for a few laps after the half-way point,” Wayton said. “Craig ran like a true senior and was with a group the whole race. Both men raced really well in the last 800 meters. I couldn’t be more proud of these young men.”
Laban Sialo of Central Missouri was the race winner with a time of 28:57.15.
“Craig broke a school-record which was held by arguably our best true distance man in Justin Kunz,” Wayton said. “Both of these men have worked so hard for their team and Coach [John] McNichols. It was sure neat to watch them take full advantage of this great opportunity to run fast.”
The finish time for both runners should qualify them for the NCAA East Preliminary which will be held in Jacksonville, Fla., May 26-28.
Meanwhile, the rest of the Sycamore team will be in action today and Sunday at the Polytan Invitational in Bloomington, Ind.
Awards
• ISU spring sports — Spring sports at Indiana State were celebrated Thursday evening at the Terre Haute Savings Bank Spring Sports Banquet.
Three of the four spring sports teams are at home this weekend, with the men’s and women’s track teams on the road or the Polytan Invitational at Bloomington.
Women’s golf awards presented by coach Greg Towne went to McCall Christopher for most Improved, Christina Beyerl for team leadership and Emily Dixon won the coaches award.
In women’s track awards presented by coach Angie Martin, Felisha Johnson was named MVP, Kacie Klem won the leadership award, Leeann Michl took the coaches award and Macey Black was most improved.
Coach John McNichols presented men’s track awards to Brandon Pounds for MVP, Major Clay for team leadership, Andrew Stull won the coaches award and Kevin Piraino was most improved.
Hillman Awards, ISU’s oldest athletic awards presented since 1923, went to Kacie Klem (women’s cross country/track and field), Jordan Printy (men’s basketball) and Alison Gasparovich (women’s soccer).
Baseball and softball awards will be presented later.
Volleyball
• ISU in action — Indiana State will conclude their spring season when they travel to Bloomington, to take on Indiana and Illinois State starting at 10 a.m. today in the University Gym located near the intersection of 10th Street and Indiana 45/46 Bypass.
The teams will battle and competitive drills and scrimmages during the event which is free to the public.
Basketball
• Falcons soar — The North Vermillion eighth-grade team recently won the North Daviess Super Tournament with a perfect 4-0 record recently.
North Vermillion 43, North Knox 40, OT
High scorers — Alex Certain 14, Cody Wright and Jacob Earl 10.
North Vermillion 42, Springs Valley 36
High scorers — Wright 12, Martin 10.
North Vermillion 37, North Daviess 34
High scorers — Earl 12, Certain 11.
Championship game
North Vermillion 41, North Cental 39
High scorers — Earl 14, Wright 11
