Cyclone Women’s track teams hold their own at ISU Open

Gabe Davis

With 45 schools to compete against, the ISU women’s track team still shined through.The ISU open was the second meet for women’s track, and it allowed numerous members of the squad to set new records. “We had a very good day.” head coach Dick Lee said. Sprinting coach Scott Roberts said the women have been training hard since winter break, and though it’s still very early in the season, the girls are doing well.”We had a real tough week of practice,” Roberts said. “So for them to come back and compete this well, I was real happy.”One of the many highlights Saturday was a great performance by Gina Curtis. After jumping 5-9 3/4 to break her previous highest jump, she turned around and cleared 5-11 1/2. This jump not only gave her a win in the meet, but broke the meet record and met the provisional height for nationals. “That was a great effort on her part,” Lee said. “I thought that, overall, we had a really solid meet. We felt really good about it.”One year ago, Curtis made a decision to start jumping from her right leg instead of her left due to an ACL injury in her left knee. Her coaches said they are amazed with her performance so far.”Gina Curtis jumping that height; that made my weekend,” said jumping coach Ron McEachran.Curtis’ jump was amazing, yet she keeps a very humble perspective on her how her season is shaping up.”It was fun. It wasn’t anything that I expected would happen at this point in the season,” said Curtis. “I’m pretty excited just to be competing and to be healthy.” One of the team’s star sprinters in the 60 and 200m is senior Oluwaseun Adetiba.”I’m happy with my 200 time. It’s a real good start,” she said. “I’m hoping to set a time that will enable me to compete at the indoor nationals.”Adetiba placed second in the 60m dash behind Passion Richardson, who was an alternate for the women’s team in the Sidney Olympics. “I think the season looks bright,” Adetiba said. “We have a good chance of placing high in the conference meet.”The team will be back in action this weekend at the Illini Classic in Champaign, Ill.