May 13, 2005

Illinois' men's track team began competition Friday at the 2005 Outdoor Big Ten Championships in Columbus, Ohio, scoring six points in the 10,000m race. Trent Hoerr and Jason Bill scored in the 10K race which started an hour and 15 minutes later than expected due to thunderstorms.

Hoerr finished in 30:30.96 to take fourth place. Hoerr was in the middle of the pack for much of the race before breaking with the nine man lead pack. The Morton, Ill. native charged from eighth place to fourth with a strong kick over the final 800 meters of the race.

Bill also stayed with the lead pack throughout the race, briefly taking the lead before finishing eighth in 30:36.26. Bill, who has provisionally qualified in the event, took fifth place at last season's meet.

In the decathlon, Clint Cherco sits in ninth place after five events. The UI senior set a personal best in the 100m, clocking 11.25 and ran a season best 49.37 in the 400m. In the long jump Cherco leapt 6.17m while throwing the shot put 35'07.25" and clearing 5'10.00" in the high jump.

The Illini return to action tomorrow on the second day of the championships as the decathlon 110m hurdles competition is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m.CST.

Complete results can be accessed at www.bigten.org. and live results can be accessed throughout the day on the Big Ten site.