EIU Women's Track Adds Two State Athletes

CHARLESTON, Ill. -- Eastern Illinois women’s track has added two athletes that recently competed at the IHSA State Meet at O’Brien Field. Jocelyne Mendoza and Grace Rowans have both signed with EIU joining Alabama All-State thrower Kaitlyn Ebert (Foley) who signed earlier this month.

Mendoza competed at Chicago Taft HS where she advanced to the IHSA Class 3A state meet in the 800m run. She had the fifth fastest sectional time entering the state meet with a time of 2:15.76 at the Wilmette (Loyola Academy) Sectional where she placed first. As a junior Mendoza advanced to the IHSA Class 3A state meet winning the Skokie (Niles West) Regional with an 800m time of 2:22.28.

Rowans competed at Belleville Althoff Catholic HS where she advanced to the IHSA Class 1A state meet in three events. She ran the 800m as an individual and was part of both the 4x800m and 4x400m relay squads. She finished seventh in the state in the 800m with a finals time of 2:21.61. She helped her team place second in the Nashville Sectional as the 4x800m squad placed second with a time 10:30.50. The 4x400m relay team won the sectional with a time of 4:14.92. As a junior Rowans advanced to the IHSA Class 1A state meet in the 3200m placing second in the Chester Sectional.