Dec. 6, 2002

Champaign, Ill. - Fans caught an early glimpse of the Illinois men's track and field team this afternoon as the Illini competed in the Fighting Illini Fall Classic Intrasquad Track Meet, Friday at the Armory Track in Champaign.

Events included during the first day of competition were the 55 meter dash, the 55 meter hurdles, the 300 meters dash, the 600 meters and the mile.

Freshman Abe Jones turned in a number of impressive performances on the afternoon, winning the 55 meter dash, the 55 meter hurdles and the 300 meter dash.

Jones' hand-timed performances of 6.08 in the 55 meters and 7.16 in the 55 meter hurdles both set new Fall Classic records. Jones also won the 300 meters with a time of 34.19.

"It was good to get out here and compete," Jones said. "In order to run fast, you have to have great teammates that push you each practice and that's what we have. We are out here making each other better everyday and I think that's going to show."

Included in those great teammates is freshman, Andre English. The Dayton, Ohio, native turned in solid outings by finishing second in the 55 meters with a time of 6.18 and second in the 55 meter hurdles with a time of 7.24. English also tied Clint Cherco for second in the 300 meters with a time of 35.10.

Continuing the trend of Illinois' strong freshman performances was Tramell Smith. The Lombard, Ill., native and 2002 Class AA 800 meter champion won the 600 meters with a time of 1:21.8.

A outstanding upperclassman performance was turned in by senior Aaron Wahls. The Pontiac, Ill., native ran away with the mile title in a time of 4:17.4, besting his closest competition by eight seconds.

The Fighting Illini Fall Classic continues on Saturday at noon at the Armory Track.

Fighting Illini Fall Classic Results

55 Meter Dash:
Abe Jones 6.08
Andre English 6.18
James Keim 6.22
Josh Fournier 6.32

300 Meter Dash:
Heat 1
Abe Jones 34.19
Andre English 35.10
Clint Cherco 35.10
Adrian Walker 35.78

Heat 2
James Keim 35.20
Marquis Lowe 35.74
Josh Fournier 36.14
Brian Burgess 36.90

Heat 3
Anthony Young 36.80
Bryan Pratt 37.38
Naim Abdul-Malik 37.62

600 Meters:
Tramell Smith 1:21.8
Aaron King 1:24.9
Thomas Halleran 1:29.7

Mile:
Aaron Wahls 4:17.4
Bob Pligge 4:25.9
Peter Stasulius 4:31.0
Richard Calvario 4:33.2
Chris Ashton 4:33.4

55 Meter Hurdles:
Abe Jones 7.16
Andre English 7.24
Adrian Walker 7.43
Anthony Young 7.67
Bryan Pratt 7.70