April 29, 2006

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - After two days of posting impressive marks, head coach Gary Winckler and the Fighting Illini wrapped up the 2006 Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa Saturday. Included in Illinois' performances on Saturday were two third-place relay finishes and a personal best from junior distance runner Stephanie Simms.

With the conference championships just two weeks away, Winckler's plan was to use the Relays to push his athletes to work hard.

"We used this meet as more of a work and endurance weekend for us." Winckler said. "We had a lot of athletes competing in a variety of events to get ready for Big Tens."

Despite the weather, Winckler was happy with how his athletes performed over the weekend.

"We would have gotten a lot more out of the meet if the weather cooperated, but it didn't end up that way," Winckler said. "We had a lot of great times the last two days of competition. Stephanie (Simms) had a solid performance today that ended up being a personal best."

Junior Stephanie Simms' career best came in the 1,500-meter run. Her time of 4:28.95 just missed qualifying for the regional championship meet.

In the sprints, junior Yvonne Mensah posted a fifth-place finish with a time of time of 12.03 (Wind -1.2).

Another individual fifth-place finish came in the 100-meter hurdles from sophomore Camile Robinson, who posted a 12.03 (Wind -1.1). Sophomore LaNeisha Waller followed Camile Robinson with a sixth-place finish with a time of 14.11. Sophomore Tiffany Nesfield finished seventh with a time of 14.26.

The 1,600 Sprint Medley Relay of sophomore Tiara Armstrong, junior Carlene Robinson, junior Natalie Young and freshman Pam Wolf recorded a third-place finish overall as they posted a time of 3:57.74 to win their heat.

Illinois finished off the Drake Relays with a regional qualifying mark in the 4x400-meter relays. The team of Omoye Ugiagbe, Mensah, Carlene Robinson and Camile Robinson posted a time of 3:34.23 for a third-place finish overall.

"It was a great way to finish off the meet," Winckler said. "It was the fastest 4x400-meter relay our team has ran here in many years."

Winckler and the Illini now have their eyes set on the Big Ten Outdoor Championships and will use the next two weeks to prepare for the conference meet.

"Everyone has individual things to work on the next two weeks," Winckler said. "We will be focusing on the technical items that will allow us to compete better. All it really is tying up some loose ends."

The Illini now have two weeks off before heading to East Lansing for the 2006 Big Ten Outdoor Championship Meet. The conference championships will begin on Saturday, May 13 and run through Sunday, May 14.