Jan. 14, 2012

Photo Gallery  | Illini Open Results

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Illinois men's track and field team turned in many solid performances on Saturday at the Illini Open and won a total of eight event titles at the UI Armory. Freshman Branden Stryganek won a pair of events while Ryan Lynn, Cody Klein and Steve Monte set personal bests in the season opener. The Illini competed against athletes from Saint Louis and Hannibal LaGrange with open and unattached competitors.

"Overall our guys came in today and our effort was pretty good," head coach Mike Turk said. "We put forth a good effort and were focused. As a result, we did get a couple performances that were really good. That's the stuff we can build on for the rest of the season."

In his first meet as an Illini, Stryganek won the 60m dash and was part of the first-place 4x400m relay team. The Waukegan, Ill., native won the 60m in a time of 6.88 and recorded a time of 3:32.27 in the relay. Junior Josh Zinzer (6.98) and sophomore Jade Ackerman (6.99) also took second and third in the 60m, respectively.

"Guys stepped up and showed a lot of enthusiasm and Brandon was one of those guys. It was a good start for the freshman and he showed some great things which will only get better with time."

Ryan Lynn won the 600m with a personal best time of 1:20.51 with teammate Nic Haab claiming the runner-up spot, clocking a time of 1:23.39. In the 400m, junior Malcolm Taylor was the only athlete to break 50 seconds, recording a time of 49.85 to pick up the victory. Ackerman was the lone Illini racing in the 200m and took the title in a time of 23:01.

In addition, the Illini did well in the field events winning three titles, including the high jump, triple jump and pole vault. Sophomore Cody Klein marked a new personal best height of 17-00 ¾ (5.20) and took second in the event. The Orange and Blue also got first place finishes from freshman Branden Tanthavong in the triple jump and junior Ryan Michel in the high jump. Tanthavong won the triple with a leap of 45-09 (13.94) while Michel took home the high jump crown with a mark of 6-09 (2.06m). Steve Monte also performed well during today's contest, setting three personal-bests, including the vault, hurdles and shot put.

Illinois' 4x400m relay squad of Cody Wisslead, D.J. Zahn, Josh Zinzer and Brandon Stryganek combined for a time of 3:23.7 to wrap up the meet with a final victory for the Orange and Blue.

"The competition will be a lot higher next weekend, and I expect to see a jump in performances." Turk said. "We should naturally get better after having one meet under our belt. The stakes will get higher but I'm looking forward to seeing how our guys will perform."

Next week the Orange and Blue will host the Illini Classic at the UI Armory on Jan. 20-21. The Illini will compete against SIU-Edwardsville, Illinois State, Missouri, SE MO State, Tennessee State and Lincoln (MO). The Classic will begin Friday at 4 p.m. with the women's pentathlon, followed by the men's heptathlon starting at 4:30 p.m. CT.