May 1, 2009

COLUMBUS, Ohio - A quartet of Illinois men's track and field distance runners competed at Ohio State's Jesse Owens Track Classic on Friday, with three setting new personal-bests in windy and rainy conditions.

Freshman Colin Mickow had the top Illinois 5,000m performance of the season, placing seventh in the event with a time of 14:32.85. Freshman Jim Riddle also fared well in the 5,000m, timing 14:34.77 to place ninth. Mickow improved his previous season-best by over 24 seconds, while Riddle dropped his personal-best time by over 17 seconds.

Junior Mike Murray set a new personal-best in the 1,500m, placing seventh with a time of 3:49.94 to miss qualifying for the NCAA Regional Championships in the event by just over two seconds. Hunter Mickow also ran the 5,000m, placing 22nd (14:50.47).

The Illinois track and field teams host the Illinois Invitational at the UI Track Stadium tomorrow, with the field events beginning at noon and the running starting at 5 p.m. Admission to the meet is free.