Feb. 28, 2010

Results

MINNEAPOLIS - Sophomore Andrew Riley repeated as the Big Ten 60m hurdles champion on Sunday, easily winning the race at the University Fieldhouse with a season-best and NCAA provisional qualifying time of 7.81. The Kingston, Jamaica native also notched a runner-up finish in the 60m dash and nearly matched his school record in the event with a time of 6.74. In total, the two-time All-American, who set the 60m hurdles school record (7.72) in his victory at last year's Big Ten Indoor Championships, scored 21 of Illinois' 40 team points this year.

"Andrew had a big, big weekend," interim head coach Mike Turk said. "It was a clutch performance in the hurdles where he won easily. He did a lot for the team and had a great performance with 21 points in the meet, which is just a building block for him since he is only a sophomore."

Illinois' other All-American Greg Shroka made it to the award podium for the first time in his career, finishing third in the high jump with a leap of 7-1 ½ (2.17m). Turk was impressed with the senior leader, who battled a back injury and still recorded his best Big Ten finish.

"Greg (Shroka) had an amazing day today," Turk said. "It was a complete warrior performance, as he was fighting a recent back injury. We weren't sure if he would be able to go and knew he wouldn't be at full strength, but he was still out there clearing bars and fighting as hard as he could to stay in the competition. It was great to see him get on the podium with his highest Big Ten finish."

In the 4x400m relay, the foursome of juniors Shane Daniel and Dan Jones and freshmen Bai Kabba and Malcolm Taylor posted a fifth-place finish with a time of 3:14.21 to score four team points. That pair of juniors also scored in the 400m, as Daniel took fifth at 48.79 and Jones placed eighth at 49.26. In the 60m dash, sophomore Stanley Azie also scored, finishing sixth with a time of 6.87.

"I was really pleased with our 4x400m and Dan Jones and Shane Daniel ran really well in the 400m," Turk said. "Stanley Azie also ran great in the 60m and was a first time scorer."

Illinois' only other point came in the triple jump from junior Oz Lifshitz, who finished eighth with a bound of 48-11 ½ (14.92m). Senior Scott Phelps just missed scoring in the 600m, placing ninth with a time of 1:19.83. Sophomore Hunter Mickow (14:36.21) was 13th in the 5,000m while his brother, Colin Mickow (14:48.63), was 17th. In the weight throw, junior Matt McHugh was 14th with a toss of 59-9 ½ (18.22m).

As a team, Illinois finished in 10th place while Minnesota won the meet with 160.5 points. Ohio State (112.5) was the runner up followed by Wisconsin (81) in third, Purdue (67) in fourth and Iowa (56) in fifth.

"We fell short of where we would like to finish, but there were some big positives," Turk said. "We have a very young team, so we've got to take this experience and use it to grow and get better, which is what we are focused on doing. We were only 17 points out of being in the top five, and I expect us to make those strides as we get outdoors. This is not the end of the year, so we are going to continue to push."

Next up, Illini athletes trying to qualify for the NCAA Indoor Championships will compete at the Alex Wilson Invitational from March 5-6.

Illinois Sunday Results at the Big Ten Indoor Championships

60m Hurdles (FINAL)
1. Andrew Riley 7.81; 10 team points

60m (FINAL)
2. Andrew Riley 6.74; 8 team points
6. Stanley Azie 6.87; 3 points

High Jump (FINAL)
3. Greg Shroka 7-1 ½ (2.17m); 6 team points
13. Ryan Michel 6-7 ½ (2.02m)

400m (FINAL)
5. Shane Daniel 48.79; 4 team points
8. Dan Jones 49.26; 1 team point

4x400m Relay (FINAL)
5. Illinois 3:14.21; 4 team points
(Shane Daniel, Bai Kabba, Malcolm Taylor, Dan Jones)

Triple Jump (FINAL)
8. Oz Lifshitz 48-11 ½ (14.92m); 1 team point
14. Roger Jones 44-4 ¾ (13.53m)

600m (FINAL)
9. Scott Phelps 1:19.83

5,000m (FINAL)
13. Hunter Mickow 14:36.21
17. Colin Mickow 14:48.63
21. Tom Achtien 14:57.20
-- Dan Kremske DNF

Weight Throw (FINAL)
14. Matt McHugh 59-9 ½ (18.22m)

Heptathlon (FINAL)
19. Shawn Ledbetter 4,663 points
21. Steve Monte 4,031 points

Big Ten Men's Indoor Championships Final Team Standings
1. Minnesota 160.5
2. Ohio State 112.50
3. Wisconsin 81
4. Purdue 67
5. Iowa 56
6. Penn State 51
6. Indiana 51
8. Michigan 42
9. Michigan State 41
10. ILLINOIS 40