April 28, 2007
Results
Berkeley, Calif. -
Competing against some of the nation's top competitors, members of the Illini women's track & field program measured up well, excelling during the second and final day of the California Collegiate Challenge, hosted by the University of California at Edwards Stadium in Berkeley, Calif. In an action-packed day, Illinois won three events, posted 14 regional qualifying marks, 11 season's bests and seven personal bests.
Senior Carlene Robinson led the effort in the 400m hurdles, winning the event with a season's best and regional qualifying time of 57.88. With four entrants in the intermediate hurdles, the Illini dominated the event, all posting regional qualifying times in finishing 1, 3, 4, 6. Robinson's twin sister, senior Camile Robinson took third at 58.57, sophomore Briana Cunningham was fourth with a personal best time of 59.56 and sophomore Alondra Cooper was sixth with a personal best of 1:00.64.
Similar to its performance in the 400m hurdles, Illinois controlled the 1,500m run as well. Three UI runners placed among the top four, all setting personal bests in finishing 1, 2, 4. Freshman Katie Engel captured the crown with a regional qualifying time of 4:22.89 while fellow freshman Angela Bizzarri finished second at 4:24.23 to also qualifying for regionals. Freshman Theresa Brokaw took fourth, running 4:33.68.
The 4x100m relay team of Tiara Armstrong, LaNeisha Waller, Carlene Robinson and Yvonne Mensah also brought home a title, recording a season's best and regional qualifying time of 44.63.
In addition to anchoring the victorious 4x100m relay team, Mensah posted a pair of top four finishes in the sprints, finishing third in the 100m (11.58) and fourth in the 200m (23.66). Carlene Robinson, meanwhile, recorded a season's best and regional qualifying time of 54.16 to finish fourth in the 400m. Sophomore Omoye Ugiagbe finished one spot behind Robinson, taking fifth in a personal best time of 54.422 to also qualify for regionals.
Rounding out the top five performances by the Illini, Nikkita Holder placed third in the 100m hurdles with a regional qualifying time of 13.53.
"This meet went really well for us, we had a number of season's bests and some personal bests, and most importantly, this weekend really helped build our confidence," head coach Gary Winckler said. "This was our last tune-up before the Big Ten Championships, and I was pleased with what we accomplished here and where we are at this point in the season. Now we'll be focused on final exams as well as getting rested and healthy for Big Tens in two weeks."
The 2007 Big Ten Outdoor Track & Field Championships will be held May 11-13 at Penn State University.
Illinois Results from Day Two of California Collegiate Challenge
100m Dash
3. Yvonne Mensah 11.58 R
100m Dash (Prelims)
4. Yvonne Mensah 11.76
6. Tiara Armstrong 11.85
26. Paris Streeter 12.57
200m Dash
4. Yvonne Mensah 23.66 R
13. Tiara Armstrong 24.43
14. Omoye Ugiagbe 24.46
24. Paris Streeter 25.10
33. Nikkita Holder 25.49
37. Stephanie Meyers 26.35
400m Dash
4. Carlene Robinson 54.16 R
5. Omoye Ugiagbe 54.42 R
10. Camile Robinson 55.41
20. Stephanie Meyers 58.64
800m Run
7. Rachel Hernandez 2:11.44
1,500m Run
1. Katie Engel 4:22.89 R
2. Angela Bizzarri 4:24.23 R
4. Theresa Brokaw 4:33.68
9. Liz Mengyan 4:48.01
100m Hurdles
3. Nikkita Holder 13:53 R
100m Hurdles (Prelims)
5. Nikkita Holder 14.02
11. Briana Cunningham 14.55
400m Hurdles
1. Carlene Robinson 57.88 R
3. Camile Robinson 58.57 R
4. Briana Cunningham 59.56 R
6. Alondra Cooper 1:00.64 R
4x100m Relay
1. Tiara Armstrong, LaNeisha Waller, 44.63 R
Carlene Robinson, Yvonne Mensah
Triple Jump
7. Kristina Jones 40-6 (12.34m) R
Shot Put
17. Danyelle Michelini 32-6 1/4 (9.91m)
Javelin
6. Mariesa Greene 135-5 (41.27m)
9. Kristina Jones 125-0 (38.11m)
15. Danyelle Michelini 86-5 (26.34m)
