Azie, Wisslead Earn Trip to Nationals in Des Moines

Men's Track & Field May 27, 2011

Azie, Wisslead Earn Trip to Nationals in Des Moines

May 27, 2011

EUGENE, Ore. - On Friday at the NCAA West Preliminary Round, senior Cody Wisslead (400m hurdles) and junior Stanley Azie (100m) earned a trip to the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Des Moines. Each athlete among the top-12 qualifiers in their respective events at Hayward Field while junior Andrew Riley was the best in the west during the first round of the 110m hurdles.

"It was a great day to get a couple qualifiers," interim head coach Mike Turk said. "Stanley is amazing me with his consistency, and I was so happy for Cody to get his ticket punched. Andrew also looked very relaxed and extremely well prepared."

Wisslead will compete at the NCAA Championships in the 400m hurdles for the second year in a row after earning an automatic bid for his third-place finish during heat two. The Sciota, Ill., native used a late surge to nab the qualifying spot with a season-best time of 50.54, which ranked ninth out of the 12 qualifiers.

Azie advanced individually to the NCAA Championships for the first time in his career, clocking the third-fastest 100m time (10.39) of the 12 qualifiers to Des Moines. The Bolingbrook, Ill., native grabbed the automatic bid with a runner-up finish in his heat and placed only behind Texas-Arlington's Cordero Gray (10.33) and Oklahoma's Rakieem Salaam (10.29). He also qualified for Saturday's quarterfinal in the 200m with a third-place finish in his heat and time of 21.44.

"Stan had a really good result in the 200m considering his lane one assignment," Turk said. "He earned a better lane for the next round and will have a great chance to advance in another event."

Riley began his national title defense in the 110m hurdles by easily winning his heat with a time of 13.53, which was the fastest time recorded in the first round. The Kingston, Jamaica, native qualified for Saturday's quarterfinal round with his second-quickest mark of the season.

In the 3,000m steeplechase, junior Chris DeSilva came up three spots shy of advancing to nationals, as he ran a personal-best time of 8:56.87 and place 15th overall. His performance on Friday was the 11th-fastest time in school history, moving him closer to a spot back in the top 10. Junior Kyle Engnell also closed his season in the event with a mark of 9:08.35.

"Chris ran his best race of the year, Turk said. "This will be a building block for him next year."

A full list of Illinois results along with the remaining schedule of Illini competition can be found below. Riley will lead off the 4x100m relay before running in the quarterfinal of the 110m hurdles while Azie is slated in the 200m quarterfinal on Saturday. Live results along with a full recap can be found on fightingillini.com while live updates will be made at twitter.com/IlliniTrackXC.

Illinois Friday Results at NCAA West Preliminary Round
Q/q = qualified for quarterfinal
* advanced to NCAA Championships in Des Moines

100m (Quarterfinal)
3. Stanley Azie 10.39*

200m (First Round)
19. Stanley Azie 21.44 Q

110m Hurdles (First Round)
1. Andrew Riley 13.53 Q

400m Hurdles (Quarterfinal)
9. Cody Wisslead 50.54*

3,000m Steeplechase (Quarterfinal)
15. Chris DeSilva 8:56.87
27. Kyle Engnell 9:08.35

Illinois Remaining Schedule at the NCAA West Preliminary Round
(All times Central)

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 (Andrew Riley)
4:50 p.m. 200m Quarterfinal (Stanley Azie)