University of Illinois
NCAA Regional Championships
Fighting Illini Finish Strong at Regionals
May 27, 2006 | Men's Track & Field
May 27, 2006
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - The Fighting Illini men's track and field team finished their second, and final, day of competition at the NCAA Mideast Regional Championships today in Knoxville, Tenn. The team advanced two athletes to the NCAA National Championships with a possibility of advancing three more depending on at-large bids.
"Today was much tougher than yesterday," head coach Wayne Angel said. "We have two athletes for sure in NCAAs and maybe three more with the at-large bids."
Freshman Dominique Worsley ran a time of 21.15 in the 200-meter dash, placing fifth, and advancing him to the NCAA National Championships.
Senior Abe Jones also placed for the Illini in the 400-meter hurdles. Jones ran a time of 49.81, a season best, to place fourth in the race and qualify for the NCAA National Championships.
"Dominique's and Abe's performances were very good and there was some outstanding competition in the finals," Angel said.
The 4x100-meter relay team of sophomore Pierre Bush, senior Andre English, Jones and Worsley ran a combined relay time of 40.27. The time, the team's second-fastest, was good for fifth place.
In other sprint events, Nathan Vadeboncouer, a senior, ran a 46.77 in the 400-meter dash to place seventh.
"There were some disappointments, but we will wait it out and see what happens with the at-large bids," said Angel. "I am pleased with how things are going."
In field events, Nick Brown, a sophomore, placed ninth in the triple jump. Brown recorded a jump of 15.19 meters.
Worsley and Jones will compete for the Orange and Blue at the NCAA National Outdoor Championships June 7-10 in Sacramento, Calif., with the possibility of Vadeboncouer, English and Brown joining them depending on at large bids.
For full results from this weekend's NCAA Mideast Regional Championships, check www.utsports.com.
