Red Wolves - IU East

BEREA, Ky. -- The Red Wolves established a gold standard in their first Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference track and field meet.

Indiana University East's women's track and field athletes won three events at the KIAC meet on April 24 at Berea College.

Sophomore Kait Ervin (West Alexandria, Ohio/Twin Valley South High School) won the discus and the shot put.

Junior Vanessa Legg (Lynn, Ind./Randolph Southern High School) won the high jump.

It was IU East's first appearance in a KIAC track and field meet.

"I understand what it means (to be one of IU East's first conference champions) and it's really exciting," Ervin said. "It means a lot that we're setting a standard to further the program."

Ervin started her day by winning the shot with a season-best throw of 10.28 meters (about 33-9).

She tweaked her technique in the week leading up to the KIAC meet. The change paid off with a KIAC gold medal.

"I was nervous on first throw of the shot put," Ervin said. "Once got that out of way, the nerves went away."

Ervin had entered the shot put competition as the No. 3 seed.

The Red Wolves and an antsy Legg then endured a 90-minute wait before the start of the high jump.

The event was decided in a few minutes. Legg posted an early jump of 1.50 meters (about 4-11) that none of her competitors could match.

"I was pumped once we finally started jumping," said Legg, who was the No. 1 seed for the high jump. "I was tired of pacing back and forth.

"It went really well."

Legg then attempted to set a new season best of 1.59 meters, but just missed on her last attempt.

"I had it," Legg said. "I had the height, but my lower half got lazy."

The high jump ended just in time for Ervin to head to the discus competition, where she held the No. 1 seed.

Ervin made it two KIAC gold medals and two season bests, besting the field with a throw of 33.63 meters (about 110-4).

"The goal was to throw as far as I could and improve from past meets and ultimately win conference," Ervin said. "And it was accomplished."

Legg also competed in the 100 meter dash and 200 meter dash. She finished fifth in both events.

"I wish I could do them all over again," said Legg.

"My 200 felt good in the beginning, but I just died. My legs turned to jello and I had nothing left."

Legg ran a 13.82 in the 100 and a 28.72 in the 200.

Berea swept the men's and women's team titles. IU East finished fifth in the women's team standings.

"It was a really good day for us as we establish our new track and field program," said IU East athletic director Mark Hester, who worked with the Red Wolves' athletes at the meet.

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