May 15, 2011

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IOWA CITY, Iowa - Three Big Ten titles highlighted the final day of competition at the outdoor conference meet for the Illinois men's track and field team, as the squad placed seventh overall with 62 points. Junior Andrew Riley led off the 4x100m relay to its first Big Ten title since 1997 before winning his second-straight crown in the 110m hurdles. Senior Cody Wisslead won his first career conference title with a victory in the 400m hurdles, and junior Stanley Azie ran the second-fastest times in school history during his runner-up finishes in the 100m and 200m.

"We had outstanding performances today," interim head coach Mike Turk said. "I was really proud of the way our guys competed and the performances we had."

The Illini opened the day by running 39.90 and edging Indiana (40.06) for the top spot in the 4x100m relay. Riley, senior Azeez Shogbuyi and sophomore Josh Zinzer ran the first three legs before handing off to Azie, who closed with a solid anchor leg and held off Indiana's Devin Pipkin. The Illini, who placed second in the event the past two seasons, last captured the relay crown 14 years ago when Babatunde Ridley, Chris Jones, Charles Gibson and Dorian Green combined for the victory.

"It was all about teamwork in the 4x100m relay," Turk said. "Those guys believe in each other and they stuck together. Josh always gets overlooked on the relay but he really is the glue on that team. Every guy contributed and did their job, which is what teamwork is all about."

Riley won his sixth career Big Ten title and defended his championship in the 110m hurdles by clocking the second-fastest time of his career. The two-time national champion barreled through his 10 hurdles and crossed the line in 13.49, the ninth-fastest time in the NCAA this year. Last season, he won the NCAA title in the event with a school-record mark of 13.45. The Kingston, Jamaica, native is the first back-to-back Illinois champion in the event since Sherman Armstrong accomplished the feat in 1999-00. He also scored in the 100m by placing sixth with a PR time of 10.40, which tied the fourth-fastest mark in school history.

Wisslead became the 10th Big Ten champion in the 400m hurdles and first since Adrian Walker in 2007, which also was the last time Illinois boasted three Big Ten titles at the outdoor meet. The Sciota, Ill., native beat out the field by timing a season-best mark of 50.55, which ranks 13th in the NCAA. He also ran the second leg of the 4x400m relay that timed 3:11.65 and placed sixth.

"Andrew and Cody were great today and they added to the Illini hurdler legacy," Turk said. "We continue to have success in those events and want to continue to do so as we move forward.

Azie's personal-best times of 10.20 in the 100m and 20.70 in the 200m placed him second on Illinois' all-time lists behind only 100m and 200m school-record holder Anthony Jones (10.10, 20.62). The Bolingbrook, Ill., native scored the most individual points for the team with 16 and picked up a pair of silver medals for his stellar performances.

"Stanley had an amazing day," Turk said. "He is a great competitor. The 4x100m relay got everyone jacked up and got him excited. He really got things going on that anchor leg and really gained confidence heading into his sprint races. It will go down as one of the greatest performances in Illinois history with the times he ran today. He just missed an individual championship, but those were amazing performances."

The Big Ten team title came down to the final race, as Iowa (125.5) beat out Minnesota (123) in the 4x400m relay to capture the victory in front of its home fans at the Cretzmeyer Track.

"It was a joy to watch two classy programs battle it out for the Big Ten title in the 4x400m relay," Turk said. "I want to tip my hat to the Hawkeyes for hosting an outstanding meet and getting a great win today."

Up Next: The Illinois men's track and field will head to Eugene, Ore., in two weeks for the NCAA West Preliminary Round of Championship from May 26-28 at the University of Oregon. The Illini athletes who qualify for the opening round of competition will be announced later this week.

Illinois Sunday Results at Big Ten Outdoor Championships

100m (FINAL)
2. Stanley Azie 10.20; 8 team points
6. Andrew Riley 10.40; 3 team points

200m (FINAL)
2. Stanley Azie 20.70; 8 team points

5,000m (FINAL)
17. Colin Mickow 14:42.11
22. Kyle Engnell 14:51.10

110m Hurdles (FINAL)
1. Andrew Riley 13.49; 10 team points *Big Ten Champion

400m Hurdles (FINAL)
1. Cody Wisslead 50.55; 10 team points *Big Ten Champion

4x100m Relay (FINAL)
1. Illinois 39.90; 10 team points *Big Ten Champion
(Andrew Riley, Azeez Shogbuyi, Josh Zinzer, Stanley Azie)

4x400m Relay (FINAL)
6. Illinois 3:11.65; 3 team points
(Shane Daniel, Cody Wisslead, Malcolm Taylor, Dan Jones)

Final Team Results
1. Iowa - 125.5
2. Minnesota - 123
3. Ohio State - 109
4. Indiana - 94.5
5. Wisconsin - 90
6. Penn State - 74
7. Illinois - 62
8. Purdue - 54
9. Michigan - 52.5
10. Michigan State - 34.5