ST. LOUIS – With three weeks from the 2025 MVC Outdoor Track and Field Championship, The Valley was represented at the Drake Relays, Kip Janvrin Open, Jim Freeman, Clark Wood Heptathlon, Grand View Viking Classic, Elmhurst Twilight Invitational, John McDonnell Invitational, Payton Jordan Invitational, Fighting Illini Twilight, and GVSU Extra Weekend Meet. At the Drake Relays The Valley saw 5 Champions crowned in the women’s shot put, women’s 800m, women’s high jump, men’s 800m and men’s 4x400. Currently in the NCAA Regional Qualifying standings, The Valley has 55 combined events in the east (19) and west (36) region.


Women’s Track Athlete of the Week - Emilie Meyer, Drake
Women’s Field Athlete of the Week – Katie Fare, Northern Iowa
Men’s Track Athlete of the Week – Casey Hood Jr., Indiana State
Men’s Field Athlete of the Week – Will Staggs, Indiana State



Women's Field Athlete of the Week - Katie Fare, Northern Iowa 
At the Drake Relays, Fare took home the champion's flag in the shot put with a season's best mark of 17.23m. Fare launched this distance in her final throw of the series where she entered finals with a best mark of 16.83m. Fare also competed in the women's Hammer where she finished 19th overall with a mark of 50.55m. Fare currently is first in the MVC, tenth in the NCAA West Region, and 17th in the entire NCAA In the women's Shot Put. 

Honorable Mention - Diamonasia Taylor, Murray State - High Jump; Windsor Roberts, Illinois State - Pole Vault



Women's Track Athlete of the Week - Emilie Meyer, Drake
Meyer took home the champion flag in the women's 800m at the Drake Relays with a winning time of 2:03.95. On her home track, Meyer also earned a top 10 finish in the women's 1500 with a time of 4:26.58 for the Bulldogs. With Meyer's 800m time she reset the Drake program record and became the first Drake student-athlete to win since Brooke Mullin's steeplechase victory in 2023. Meyer currently leads The Valley, is third in the midwest region, is 16th in the NCAA West Region, and is 32nd in the entire NCAA in the women's 800m. 

Honorable mention - Corrina Courser, Illinois State - 100m Hurdles



Men's Track Athlete of the Week - Casey Hood Jr., Indiana State

At the Clark Wood Invitational, Hood Jr. took first in the 100m with a new personal best and Indiana State program record time of 10.08(w: +1.1). With this wind legal time, Hood Jr. is only .02 seconds away from breaking the MVC All-Time men's 100m time 10.06 originially set by Brandon Carnes of Northern Iowa in 2017 and tied by JaVaughn Moore of Indiana State in 2022. In addition to his 100m time, Hood Jr., also finished third in the 200m stopping the clock at 20.94(w:+1.8). Hood Jr. currently ranks first in the MVC in both events, is second in the Great Lakes Region, 12th in the NCAA East Region, an 18th in the entire NCAA in the 100m. 

Honorable Mention - Jaxson Copelin, Bradley - 800m 



Men's Field Athlete of the Week - Will Staggs, Indiana State 

At the Clark Wood Invitational, Staggs took second with a height of 5.51m resetting the Indiana State program record and the best clearance by an MVC student-athlete since 2007. Staggs is currently 5 inches (.127m) away from the MVC All-Time record of 5.65m, originally set by Ryan Barkdull of Witchita State in 1995 and tied by Jacob Pauli of Northern Iowa in 2001. Staggs is currently the highest ranked MVC athlete nationally at a sixth place spot in the entire NCAA and tying for first in the NCAA East Region. 

Honorable Mention - Darrione Williams, Southern Illinois - Long Jump/Triple Jump