CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Fighting Illini make their season debut at the third annual Border Battle, hosted this year by the University of Iowa. Held in the UI Recreation Building in Iowa City, Iowa, the meet is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. central time on Saturday, January 7. The weight throw will take place the day before at 3 p.m. on Friday. January 6.
Border Battle Series History
Now in its third year, the Border Battle has seen the Illini go 3-1 in the first two meets. In the inaugural meet two years ago, the Illini beat both Missouri (109-43) and Iowa (103-56) handedly on their way to a runner-up finish at Big Ten Indoor Championships and the Big Ten Outdoor Championships title. Last year, held in Champaign, Coach Turk's squad split the meet, defeating Missouri (82-65) but losing to Iowa (81-73) at the UI Armory.
A Look at the Competition
The Hawkeyes enter the meet after placing eighth at last year's Big Ten Indoor Championships and fourth at Big Ten Outdoor Championships. In the sprints, Vinnie Saucer returns after winning the 60m dash at indoor Big Tens last season, while 60m and 110m hurdles Big Ten champion Aaron Mallet returns for his senior season. In throws, Iowa features sophomore Reno Tuufuli, who qualified for NCAA Championships in the discus as a freshman and scored at Big Ten Indoor Championships in the shot put.
Joining the two Big Ten schools is Missouri after the Tigers placed 8th at SEC Outdoor Championships last season. Kahmari Montgomery leads the team after breaking the school record in the 200m dash at SEC Indoor Championships with a time of 21.03. The freshman went on to win the 400m dash at SEC Outdoor Championships. Reinhard Van Zyl (Javelin) and Matthew Ludwig (Pole Vault) also finished with All-SEC honors.
Events To Watch
High Jump: Jonathan Wells is back for his junior indoor season after redshirting during last year's outdoor campaign. In his first two indoor seasons, Wells has twice earned All-America honors in the event, including his First Team honor last year for placing eighth. Wells continues to sit just shy of Gail Olson's 1980 school record of 7'3 (2.21m), clearing 7-2.5" (2.20m) as a freshman and 7'2.25" (2.19m) last season at the Husker Invite.
Throws: Coach Turk returns a pair of juniors to the weight throw and shot put in Matsen Dziedzic and Michael Hyc. Dziedzic moved up to third on Illinois' all-time weight throw list, marking 61'7" (18.77m), while Hyc set personal-best marks in both events. Now in their third season with Turk, the duo will look to take the next step and score at Big Ten Championships in February.
60m Hurdles: A four-time All-American in 2015, David Kendziera will compete collegiately in the hurdles for the first in over a year after missing 2016 with an injury. After recovering from the injury last spring, the redshirt sophomore qualified for U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon where he placed 14th.
Short Sprints: The Illini feature a number of talented sprinters between junior Mo Maat, sophomore Devin Quinn and freshman Josh Eiker. Devin Quinn was quick to make an impact in his first season, as he moved into Illinois' 60m and 200m top-10 lists, the latter coming during prelims at Big Ten Championships. Also in the top-10 of the 60m dash was Mo Maat who equaled Quinn's time at the Border Battle. Eiker joins the duo after twice winning the 100m and 200m IHSA state titles. In the 200m, Eiker owns the IHSA state record with a time of 20.83.
Illini Return Veteran Squad
Head Coach Mike Turk and staff return 26 letterwinners from last year's squad, including All-Americans David Kendziera, Jonathan Wells, Dylan Lafond, Cole Henderson, Kenneth Allen and Mo Maat. Kendziera earned four All-America honors as a sophomore in 2015 and qualified for Olympic Trials in the 400m hurdles last summer. Jonathan Wells earned First Team All-America honors in the high jump last winter for the first time in his career, while 2015 steeplechase All-American Dylan Lafond returns for his senior season after competing at Olympic Trials in July. Henderson, Allen and Maat return with experience on Illinois' All-American 4x100m and 4x400m relay teams two seasons ago.
Going the Distance
Distance coach Jake Stewart has restored the Illinois men's distance program to one of the best in the Big Ten and a competitor on the national stage. During the 2016 cross country season, Coach Stewart guided the Illini to the program's first NCAA Championships appearance in 30 years. On the track, Stewart has coached nine All-America performances, including Dylan Lafond who returns in the 3,000m steeplechase.
Illini Welcome 11 Freshmen
In addition to the talent returning to campus for the 2017 season, Coach Turk will welcome in 11 freshmen after the group impressed in their final season in high school. In total, the 11 new Illini combined for 17 IHSA state championships between cross country and track and field. At the 2016 IHSA state meet, the signees hauled in seven state titles, three runner-up finishes and tallied 107 team points.
Next Up
Illini fans will get their first look at the 2016-17 team as the Orange and Blue host the annual Illini Classic on Saturday, January 14. The meet is scheduled to begin with field events at 10 a.m. followed by track events.
Turk Tabs Talented Trio to Class of 2017
Fighting Illini Men's Track and Field Head Coach Mike Turk announced the signing of three student-athletes to the 2017 class on November 22. All hailing from the state of Illinois, the trio has combined for two individual IHSA state championships and six other top-eight finishes. Thrower Bill Matzek scored in the shot put and discus at 2016 IHSA Champships, while Curtis Gordon (pole vault) and Brayden Hamblen (cross country) both won state titles during their junior seasons.
Illini Host three Home Meet As Part of 2017 Slate
The Orange and Blue will compete at 16 meets between the indoor and outdoor seasons this year, including two home meets held at the UI Armory and one at the Illinois Track Stadium. Illini fan's first chance to see the team will be on Saturday, January 14 when the Orange and Blue host the Illini Classic at the UI Armory. A month later, the Illini will host the Orange and Blue Open on Saturday, February 20. The squad's final home meet will come at the Illinois Track Stadium on April 22 with the annual Illinois Twilight meet.
New Year, New Video Board
During the month of December, the UI Armory received an upgrade with the addition of a video board, located on the west wall of the track. Measuring 14 1/2' tall and 26' wide, the board will enhance the Illini fan experience during home meets this season.
Illinois Announces Reorganization of Track and Field/Cross Country Programs
Director of Athletics Josh Whitman announced today that the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics will reorganize the leadership structure of the men's and women's track and field and cross country programs in the summer of 2017. Upon completion of the 2017 outdoor track and field season, men's and women's indoor and outdoor track and field and men's and women's cross country will be led by a single coaching staff. Under the consolidated structure, current men's coach Mike Turk will be head coach and will lead both programs, along with five full-time assistant coaches.
Former Illini Andrew Riley Finishes T-11th at Olympics in 110m Hurdles
After making his Olympic debut in 2012, former Illini Andrew Riley advanced to the semifinal round at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro this past August. Riley placed 11th in the semis, timing 13.46 in his heat. A four-time NCAA Champion at Illinois, Riley became the first Illini to advance to an Olympic semifinal since Marko Koers did so in the 1500m in 2000.
