Feb. 8, 2007

The Fighting Illini women's track and field team travels to Fayetteville, Ark., to compete in the sixth annual Tyson Invitational Friday-Saturday, Feb. 9-10, at the Randal Tyson Track Center. The meet is scheduled to begin at 10:00 am Friday and Saturday.

The Tyson Invitational is becoming one of the premier indoor events in the nation. The field includes Big Ten rivals Indiana and Michigan.

"This weekend we're trying to make an NCAA qualifying time in the distance medley relay," head coach Gary Winkler said. "We'll also be trying to qualify in the field events, and we'll be able to focus on specific events because the meet is not scored."

The Illini hope to continue their record-setting success from last week when the squad was split between the Indiana Invitational in Bloomington, Ind., and the Meyo Invitational in South Bend, Ind.

Senior Carlene Robinson placed first in the 600m with a school-record time of 1:30.11. Additionally, junior Ashley Whittaker finished third in the pole vault with a 12'08.25" placing her at the top of the Illini record books.

The Orange and Blue also nabbed two provisional qualifying times at the Indiana Invitational. Junior LaNeisha Waller finished third in the 60m hurdles with a provisional qualifying time of 8.41. Seniors Yvonne Mensah, Camile Robinson and Carlene Robinson and sophomore Omoye Ugiagbe continued the Illini's successful weekend by claiming the top spot in the 4x400 relay with a provisional qualifying time of 3:38.89.

At the Meyo Invitational, freshman Angela Bizzari won the mile run with a personal-best time of 4:45.77. Senior Stephanie Simms placed third in the 5000m with a time of 16:39.71.

Full results of the Tyson Invitational can be found at www.fightingillini.com following the conclusion of the meet.