May 13, 2011
IOWA CITY, Iowa - On a rainy day one at the Big Ten Championships, freshman Matthew Bane scored the first points for the Illinois men's track and field team, tying for third place in the pole vault. Bane, the Big Ten indoor pole vault champion, cleared 16-2 ¾ (4.95m) on his second attempt and tied with Michigan State's Derik Peterman and Michigan's Austin DeWildt to pick up the bronze medal and earn five team points. In the 10,000m, junior Colin Mickow scored a point with an eighth-place finish on the Cretzmeyer Track, giving the Illini a total of six points on Friday.
"We had a good start today, and our guys were competing at their best to put solid points on the board," interim head coach Mike Turk said. "Matt was solid today and did enough to get into the top three, which was a great performance after a rough weather day. He will continue to get better throughout his career at lllinois. The conference has an outstanding field in the pole vault, and it was tough for everyone with the rain wreaking havoc."
A pair of Illini, freshman Cody Klein and sophomore Joshua Hodur, tied for 10th in the pole vault with a mark of 15-9 (4.80m). Ohio State's Cody Marshall won the Big Ten pole vault title, as he was the only competitor to clear 16-6 ¾ (5.05m) in the event, which featured a 20-minute rain delay midway through the competition.
Mickow (29:48.51) and sophomore Jim Riddle, who placed 10th in the 10,000m with a time of 30:21.09, ran through a steady rain throughout the final event of the night. After three scored events, the Illini currently sit in eighth place at the conference meet.
"It was a nice race by Colin and Jimmy," Turk said. "That was Colin's best race since last year's Big Ten outdoor meet, so I am happy for him."
In the hammer throw, senior Matt McHugh battled a wet ring and was one of only two competitors to advance to the final out of the second flight, but just missed scoring with a ninth-place finish. The Exeter, N.H., native launched a season-best throw of 191-0 (58.21m) in his final conference competition.
"I am really of proud of the way Matt competed today," Turk said. "He was certainly prepared and had a great performance with a season best. They had to flood the ring before they began the second flight, so that group faced some of the toughest conditions of the day."
Through five events of the decathlon, sophomore Steve Monte sits 12th with 3,280 points. Monte turned in his top finishes in the long and high jump, tying for fourth in each event. He tallied a bound of 21-10 ½ (6.66m) in the long jump and cleared a height of 6-4 ¼ (1.94m) in the high jump. He also competed in the 100m (11.54), shot put (10.82m) and 400m (57.07) on day one.
The Illini resume competition at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday with the final events of the decathlon. Finals of the long jump, high jump, discus and 3,000m steeplechase will be contested throughout the day, while running trials will begin at 2:20 p.m. with the 4x100m relay.
Illinois Friday Results at Big Ten Outdoor Championships
Pole Vault (FINAL)
T3. Matthew Bane 16-2 ¾ (4.95m); 5 team points
T10. Cody Klein 15-9 (4.80m)
T10. Joshua Hodur 15-9 (4.80m)
-- Alex Baldwin NH
10,000m (FINAL)
8. Colin Mickow 29:48.51; 1 team point
10. Jim Riddle 30:21.09
Hammer Throw (FINAL)
9. Matt McHugh 191-0 (58.21m)
Decathlon (Through Five Events)
12. Steve Monte 3,280 points
Team Results Through Three Scored Events
1. Minnesota - 35.5
2. Wisconsin - 19
3. Ohio State - 13
4. Michigan State - 12
5. Purdue - 11
6. Michigan - 8.5
7. Indiana - 7
8. Illinois - 6
9. Iowa - 5
10. Penn State - 0
