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Big Ten Indoor Faves

A brief preview of the conference meet

By Winners OnlyPublished 4 years ago 4 min read
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Asya Reynolds

The Big Ten Indoor Track and Field Championships take place May 28-29 at Spire Institute in Geneva, Ohio. We will be there for the entire opening day to see various events. Here are some of the athletes and competitions that we are most excited to cover.

Pentathlon

Jenny Kimbro, Iowa, Senior

Looking to win her first pentathlon championship, Jenny Kimbro has been a threat in the Big Ten throughout her career. Kimbro placed second at last year's meet behind former teammate Tria Simmons. In her only pentathlon competition this season, Kimbro scored a conference best 4,269 points during a win at the Frank Sevigne Husker Invitational.

Madeline Holmberg, Penn State, Senior

While Madeline Holmberg did not compete at last season's Big Ten indoor meet, she did place ninth at last year's pentathlon at the NCAA indoor championships. In 2018 Holmberg was the runner-up at the Big Ten meet. This season she had pentathlon wins at the Bison Opener and Dr. Sander Columbia Challenge, where she posted 4,171 points, which currently ranks second in the conference for the season.

Ayesha Champagnie, Minnesota, Senior

An experienced heptathlete during the outdoor season, Ayesha Champagnie is competing in her first pentathlon at the Big Ten indoor championship meet. She scored a win at the beginning of the indoor season at the South Dakota State University Holiday Invite. Champagnie also had a third place finish at the Jack Johnson Classic.

Asya Reynolds, Michigan State, Senior

The reigning Big Ten outdoor champ in the heptathlon is looking to add another gold medal to her collection at this year's conference indoor meet. Reynolds dominated the comeptition at the Power 5 Invitational. She is almost certain to improve upon last year's 11th place finish at the Big Ten championships.

Alexus Pyles, Ohio State, Senior

Last year Alexus Pyles was a career best third at the Big Ten meet. This season, she was a winner at the Texas Tech Invitational. If Pyles is able to have a solid showing in the shot put portion of the competition, she should be right in the thick of things for the championship.

Others to watch - Dalyssa Huggins (Iowa), Emma Nwofor (Ohio State, Jordan Hirsbrunner (Wisconsin)

Pole Vault

Sophia Franklin, Michigan State, Junior

The defending indoor pole vault champion, Sophia Franklin is ready to do it again. She won the Simmons-Harvey Invitational for the second straight year and placed second at the Grand Valley State University Holiday Open.

Anna Watson, Indiana, Junior

After placing 10th at last year's indoor championship, Anna Watson went on to win the Big Ten outdoor pole vault championship. She has the conference's top mark of 4.30 meters, which was recorded during a second place finish at the Indiana University Relays.

Others to watch - Katie Jones (Penn State), Jessica Bray (Purdue), Erica Ellis (Penn State)

Weight Throw

Nayoka Clunis, Minnesota, Senior

Minnesota's Nayoka Clunis enters this year's competition with the conference's top throw of 22.02. As she hopes to win her first Big Ten championship, she's earned wins this season at the South Dakota State University Holiday Invite, Meyo Invitational and Minnesota Cold Classic.

Tausaga Laulauga, Iowa, Senior

Iowa's strong woman, Tausage Laulauga is ready to overcome a disappointing outcome at last year's championship meet. Laulauga fouled on all of her throws at the 2019 Big Ten indoor meet. This season she enters the championships with the conference's second best throw of the season. Her throw of 22.00 was second only to Clunis at the Meyo Invitational.

Others to watch - Rebecca Mammel (Michigan State), Alexis Hill (Indiana), Tess Keyzers (Minnesota)

60-Meter Hurdles

Jenny Kimbro, Iowa, Senior

Jenny Kimbro won last year's 60-meter hurdles championship at 8.29. This year she ran a time of 8.24 during the pentathlon at the Frank Sevigne Husker Invitational. Kimbro has run various times in the 60-meter hurdles ranging from 8.24 to 8.52. She'll more than likely be on her A-game during the conference meet.

Morgan Lewis, Ohio State, Junior

Ohio State's Morgan Lewis battled injuries during the 2019 indoor season. Despite the setbacks she placed fifth in the conference final round. This year she's healthy and looking to dethrone Kimbro. Prior to attending Ohio State, Lewis won the 60-meter hurdles at the Mountain West Indoor Track and Field Championships, as a freshman.

Destiny Huven Wisconsin, Freshman

Destiny Huven is the only freshman in the top five of the Big Ten 60-meter hurdles standings. She's yet to take first place in a race, but her top time of 8.36 is currently third best in the conference. A win in the championship round would be considered an upset to most but Huven has the ability to rise to the occasion.

Others to watch - Emma Nwofor (Ohio State), Alexus Pyles (Ohio State), Ayesha Champagnie (Minnesota), Winsome Harris (Nebraska)

These and so many more events will take place at the Big Ten Indoor Track and Field Championships. Check back with us after the weekend for more news.

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