May 10, 2002

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Chequetta Bearfield and Anthony Moorman swept the men's and women's 100 and 200-meter dashes and three of Illinois' 100m hurdlers registered NCAA provisional-qualifying marks as the Illinois track teams wrapped up their home schedule with the Illinois May, Friday in Champaign.

Friday's meet was also senior day for the men's and women's track teams as 12 seniors were honored prior to the start of the meet. On the women's side, Carolyn Estes, Katie Hennessy, Jordana Meyer, Ade Oshinowo and Camee' Williams competed for the last time in front of a home crowd, as did men's team members Nick Gow, Josh Harford, Mike Lucchesi, Kendall McCroy, Anthony Moorman and Jason Van Swol.

For the Illinois men, the night was highlighted by sprinting performance of Anthony Moorman. The senior from Streamwood, Ill., opened by winning the 100m dash in a time of 10.51 seconds. That time is the fastest of the season for Moorman and moves him into a tie for ninth on the all-time 100m dash list with Nate Wyatt.

In the 200m dash, Moorman finished with a time 20.93 seconds, just ahead of fellow senior Kendall McCroy. McCroy, a Peru, Ind., product, had a successful final meet as well, as he sprinted to a second place finish in the 200m dash and third in the 100 meters. His time of 21.36 seconds in the 200m dash is a career best.

Bernard Grady also picked up a victory for Illinois in the shot put. Grady has won three events during the outdoor season including victories at both home meets. The junior from San Diego, Calif., finished with a toss of 55'10.50" to out-do Indiana State's Josh Mastison.

Marty Keiffer won his second meet of the season thanks to a near season-best showing in the pole vault. The junior from Sugar Grove, Ill., won with a jump of 16'01.25", just two inches shy of his previous best mark of 16'03.00".

A final win for Illinois came courtesy of another senior, Nick Gow. Gow was impressive in the 1,500m run as he won with a season-best time of 3:49.43, more then seven seconds better then the second-place finisher.

"I thought our kids came out and competed well," head coach Gary Wieneke said. "We were able to get some good performances and it was important for us to compete this week. Our last home meet was cancelled because of the weather, so it was nice to be able to get this meet completed. I am also happy for our seniors. They have meant a lot to this program and it's nice to see them so successful at their final home meet."

The Illinois women also got a sweep in the short sprints by junior Chequetta Bearfield. The Omaha, Neb., native won the 100m dash with a time of 11.80 seconds and returned to win the 200m dash with a season-best time of 24.17 seconds. Bearfield also competed in the long jump where she finished second to teammate Camee' Williams with a leap of 18'11.25".

In addition to winning the long jump with a season-best performance of 19'03.50", Williams was one of three 100m hurdlers to record NCAA provisional-qualifying marks on the evening. Williams finished second in the 100m hurdles with a time of 13.51 seconds, just behind teammate Susanna Kallur, who won the race in a time of 13.26 seconds. Jenny Kallur also recorded a provisional-qualifying mark of 13.54 seconds as she finished third overall.

Senior Carolyn Estes made the most of her final home meet as she picked up a win in the 400m hurdles. The Harvey, Ill., native won the race with a time of 1:00.11, establishing a new season-best time in the event.

Another senior, Ade Oshinowo, won the shot put thanks to her second NCAA provisional-qualifying performance of the season. Oshinowo won the event by over six feet as she finished with a toss of 49'03.50".

The final win of the night came from Nicole Whitman in the triple jump. The defending Big Ten Indoor Champion in the event won with a jump of 40'02.75".

"I thought we had some good performances tonight," head coach Gary Winckler said. "I thought Chequetta Bearfield competed real well throughout the meet and she competed in a lot of events tonight. I was happy for Ade, Camee' and Carolyn who were able to get wins in their last home meet. This senior class is a special group and they have done a lot of great things. I think we will see some more next week."

Both the men's and women's teams will be in action next weekend as they travel to Madison, Wisc., to take part in the Big Ten Championships. The meet begins on Thursday, May 17 and concludes on Saturday May 19.

###Illinois###