Jan. 15, 2011
Results
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - On Saturday at the Illini Open, the Illinois women's track and field team started the 2011 season off strong by winning nine event titles at the Illini Open. Senior Tamika Robinson and freshman thrower Kristen Wilson each picked up a pair of victories at the UI Armory, as the Illini competed against athletes from Butler and St. Louis along with open and unattached competitors.
"I was impressed with the way we competed for it being our first meet," head coach Tonja Buford-Bailey said. "Tamika expected to run fast today, and she did that with some good marks. She is on a mission this year, so hopefully she keeps that momentum going. Kristen also had a nice start to her Illini throwing career and gave herself a starting point to improve upon."
Robinson opened the day by running a personal-best time of 7.52 in the prelims of the 60m dash before winning the event title with a mark of 7.57 in the finals. The Chicago, Ill., native also took home a win in the 60m hurdles with a time of 8.30. Wilson grabbed the top spot in the weight throw with a mark of 46-11 (14.30m) and won the shot put with a throw of 40-2 (12.24m).
Sophomore Kayla Smith sprinted to a victory in the 200m with a time of 24.68, leading a group of four Illini in the top five of the event. The Illini filled the top five spots of the 600m, paced by freshman Samantha Murphy, who won the race in her Illini debut with a time of 1:32.97.
"Our 200m runners did a really nice job along with Samantha Murphy and our 600m racers," Buford-Bailey said. "They are going to keep training hard and continue to get better."
Sophomore Marissa Golliday, who also came in second in the 600m, competed in the high jump for the first time in her career and tied with junior Kendall McCaugherty for first place in the event after clearing a height of 5-7 (1.70m). Sophomore Shinelle Proctor also reached 5-7 (1.70m) on her third attempt and placed third.
"I am really excited about what Marissa can do for us this year," Buford Bailey said. "She is very versatile, so we are still trying to figure out what her best event can be. She did great in the high jump for her first time out there in it."
In the pole vault, freshmen Stephanie Richartz and Elizabeth Eitzen led the way after vaulting to personal-best heights of 11-9 ¾ (3.60m). Sophomore Kawanna Brooks was the runner-up in the triple jump with a bound of 38-7 ¾ (11.78m) after taking third in the long jump with a mark of 17-9 ¾ (5.43m). Freshman Katie Porada added a runner-up finish in the 800m for the Illini with a time of 2:16.74.
Illinois closed out the meet with a victory in the 4x400m relay, as Ashley Kelly, Latoya Griffith, Ryisha Boyd, Melissa Bates combined to run a time of 3:47.19.
Next week, the Orange and Blue will be back in action at the UI Armory for the Illini Classic on Jan. 21-22.
Illinois First Place Finishers
60m
1. Tamika Robinson, 7.57
200m
1. Kayla Smith, 24.68
600m
1. Samantha Murphy, 1:32.97
60m Hurdles
1. Tamika Robinson, 8.30
4x400m Relay
1. Illinois, 3:47.19
(Ashley Kelly, Latoya Griffith, Ryisha Boyd, Melissa Bates)
High Jump
T-1. Marissa Golliday, 5-7 (1.70m)
T-1. Kendall McCaugherty, 5-7 (1.70m)
Pole Vault
1. Stephanie Richartz, 11-9 ¾ (3.60m)
Shot Put
1. Kristen Wilson, 40-2 (12.24m)
Weight Throw
1. Kristen Wilson, 46-11 (14.30m)
