May 26, 2011
Results
EUGENE, Ore. - A pair of Illini advanced to the quarterfinal round in their respective events to kick off competition at the NCAA West Preliminary Round of Championship. Junior Stanley Azie won his heat of the 100m while senior Cody Wisslead was the runner-up in his heat of the 400m hurdles to automatically qualify to the next level at Hayward Field on Thursday.
"Both Stanley and Cody had solid races to get us off to a great start," interim head coach Mike Turk said. "The objective was to get their focus right and advance to the next round. Stan looked outstanding while winning his heat in less than ideal conditions. His start and acceleration were excellent. Cody was his usual, steady self and handled a tough lane draw very well."
Azie clocked the second-fastest mark of his career with a 100m time of 10.36, which ranked as the No. 5 overall time on the day. Wisslead ran out of lane one and easily qualified in the 400m hurdles with a mark of 51.36, which was the No. 12 time in the event. Both athletes will compete in the quarterfinal on Friday with a trip to the national meet in Des Moines on the line.
Freshman Matthew Bane concluded a successful rookie season in the pole vault, as he cleared 16-6 ¾ (5.05m) and tied for 24th out of the 48 competitors. The Big Ten indoor champion and outdoor bronze medalist cleared the height on his second attempt but was unable to match his outdoor PR mark of 16-10 ¾ (5.15m). The top 12 in the event advanced to the national meet.
"Matt had a good showing in his first NCAA meet and the experience will benefit him well," Turk said. "He had an outstanding freshman year and his future is bright."
Junior Colin Mickow (30:03.68) also closed out his season in the 10,000m while sophomore Ryan Lynn (1:55.42) ended the year in the 800m.
A full list of Illini results along with the remaining schedule of Orange and Blue competition can be found below. Defending NCAA champion Andrew Riley will begin his title defense in the 110m hurdles with the first round of the event on Friday. Live results along with a full recap can be found on fightingillini.com while live updates will be made at twitter.com/IlliniTrackXC.
Illinois Thursday Results at NCAA West Preliminary Round
Q/q = qualified for quarterfinal
100m (First Round)
5. Stanley Azie 10.36 Q
800m (First Round)
43. Ryan Lynn 1:55.42
10,000m (Semifinal)
29. Colin Mickow 30:03.68
400m Hurdles (First Round)
12. Cody Wisslead 51.36 Q
Pole Vault (Prelims)
T24. Matthew Bane 16-6 ¾ (5.05m)
Illinois Remaining Schedule at the NCAA West Preliminary Round
(All times Central)
Friday, May 27
5:25 p.m. 110m Hurdles First Round (Andrew Riley)
6:35 p.m. 100m Quarterfinal (Stanley Azie)
7:35 p.m. 400m Hurdles Quarterfinal (Cody Wisslead)
8:10 p.m. 200m First Round (Stanley Azie)
9:20 p.m. 3,000m Steeplechase (Kyle Engnell, Chris DeSilva)
Saturday, May 28
3:15 p.m. 4x100m Relay Quarterfinal (Andrew Riley, Azeez Shogbuyi, Josh Zinzer, Stanley Azie)
4:20 p.m. 110m Hurdles Quarterfinal
4:50 p.m. 200m Quarterfinal
