Moore enjoys freshman year in track at Illinois Wesleyan; earns all-CCIW honors
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By Mike Monahan
ARCOLA – Kelsey Moore, a 2024 Arcola graduate, completed her freshman year at Illinois Wesleyan in Normal. She competed for the Division III school that competes in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin. Now instead of competing in the 300 hurdles as she did in high school she is in the 400 hurdles.
“The 400 hurdles is definitely a lot different than the 300 hurdles,”said Moore. “It is for sure a lot harder and requires more endurance. But the hardest part about it is the training for endurance, speed, and form all at one time because it truly is still a sprint.”
Moore has run the 400 hurdles, the 100 hurdles, the 60 hurdles and the 60 meter dash. Her best times in the four events are 1:07.14, 16.73, 9.61 and 8.57 respectively. Her best 400 hurdles was at the Normal Invite at Illinois State in mid-April, while the 100 hurdles occurred at the Big Blue Alumni Invite on March 29 at Millikin. Her best time in the 60 hurdles was at the Friday Night Tri Invitational February 21 at the Shirk Center, while her best time in the 60 meters was at the Jason Dennis Invitational on January 24 at the Shirk Center on the campus of Illinois Wesleyan. Moore is the only female member of the Titans that runs the hurdles.
“It was definitely tough at first adjusting to a new coach and a new team while being the only female, but I think it not only made me better, but it made my bond with coach Natalie (Brunson-Wheeler) even stronger,” said Moore. “I am glad to say we have a few female hurdlers coming in next year.”
Moore mainly dealt with assistant coach (hurdles) Brunson-Wheeler, who started coaching at IWU during the 2022-23 school year. She had been a coach for 25 years, including Cornerstone Christian Academy (2008-10), Bloomington Central Catholic (2011-12) and Normal University High (2012-2021).
“While my love for the 100 meter hurdles and 60 hurdles has grown, the 400 hurdles will forever be my favorite event,” said Moore.
She has also run the 4×400 relay and finished seventh in the outdoor 400 hurdles with a time of 1:07.30 after becoming the last person to qualify with a time of 1:07.89. The seventh place earned her all-CCIW honors. During the season Moore did come in first in the 60 hurdles, 100 hurdles and 400 hurdles at one time or another.
“I think I did real well this season in outdoor, “said Moore. “I wanted to get on the top ten all-time list in the 400 hurdles and I was also able to become a first year letter recipient as I managed to make finals in the 400 hurdles and become all-CCIW in just my first year.”
Moore is 10th all-time in the 400 hurdles at IWU.
“I would say the main difference between my senior year in high school and my freshman year in college is the bigger team (37 girls) and having the 400 hurdles,” said Moore.
As for the off season Moore said, “My main focus is to work on speed in between hurdles. With having my three steps down I no longer have to worry about steps so much. It is maintaining the speed out of the blocks is my goal for this upcoming season.”
In high school Moore had some trouble getting the three steps all the way through her race, but Brunson-Wheeler helped her get her so she could go three steps in between hurdles all the way through the race.
“That cut my time down tremendously,” said Moore. “In the 400 hurdles I was able to alternate legs.”
IWU travels mostly in the states of Illinois and Wisconsin.
“I thought the Illinois State and Indiana State meets were super fun but also the indoor conference at Carthage was a great experience,” said Moore.
Moore, the son of Jeff and Kendall Moore, is majoring in physical science.
“It has definitely been hard adjusting to a new lifestyle with classes and track,” said Moore. “Taking homework on long bus rides and studying in hotel rooms and even sometimes in the weight room has been an adjustment, but definitely worth it.”
Moore, the 2022 Miss Broom Corn and the 2023 Miss Arcola, roomed with Caroline Hill, a Bement graduate, who ran for Bement/Cerro Gordo and is going to room with her again. Hill runs the 200 (27.55) and 400 (1:03.27).
Her senior year Moore, coached by Adam Reel, set a personal record of 47.25 in the 300 hurdles, good for fifth place in the Class 1A state track and field meet, and a new school record breaking her own.