Illini Conclude Day One at Tyson Invitational

Women's Track & Field February 11, 2011

Illini Conclude Day One at Tyson Invitational

Feb. 11, 2011

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The Illinois women's track and field squad opened up competition on Friday at the Tyson Invitational with several Orange and Blue athletes in action at the Randal Tyson Track Center. Freshman Stephanie Richartz turned in a solid showing in the pole vault, clearing a height of 12-3 ½ (3.75m) to take third in the event while fellow freshman Samantha Murphy posted a personal-best time of 2:10.21 in the 800m invitational to finish 11th overall.

"Samantha and Stephanie competed really well today against tough competition," head coach Tonja Buford-Bailey said. "They both stood out with pretty good performances."

In the mile invitational, sophomore Stephanie Morgan took fourth with a time of 4:48.41 while freshman Katie Porada was ninth at 4:56.17. In the 5,000m invitational, freshmen Meghan Frigo (17:57.24) and Melissa Schmidt (18:03.25) were 10th and 11th, respectively, with personal-best times.

After breaking the school record in the 400m a week ago, junior Ashley Kelly led the Illini again in the event, clocking a time of 54.27 to place 15th out of a field of 83. In the long jump, sophomore Kawanna Brooks finished 14th with a bound of 18-4 ¼ (5.59m).

A full list of Illini results from Friday can be found below. The Tyson Invitational will wrap up on Saturday, with field events at noon and running events at 1 p.m. Full results and a recap of the meet can be found on fightingillini.com after the meet while fans can follow the action with live results and a live video stream on ArkansasRazorbacks.com.

Illinois Friday Results at the Tyson Invitational

60m (Prelims)
57. Cheria Morgan, 7.70
85. Moriyike Akinosun, 7.98

400m
15. Ashley Kelly, 54.27
35. Ryisha Boyd, 56.01
38. Melissa Bates, 56.23
43. Marissa Golliday, 56.34
45. Jayla McArthur, 56.54