University of Illinois
Iowa State Classic
Illinois Completes Successful Two Days at Iowa State Classic
February 14, 2015 | Women's Track & Field
AMES, Iowa - The Illinois women's track and field team wrapped up the Iowa State Classic on Saturday. The Illini recorded seven top-10 finishes, four personal bests and one of the top performances in Illinois history over the weekend.
"The team gave a great effort this weekend," said head coach Ron Garner. "We are in a good position as we head towards the Big Ten Championships. Each week we are getting consistent performances."
As has been the case in every meet this year, Stephanie Richartz and Jennifer DeBellis put together strong performances in the pole vault. Richartz won the event with a clearance of 4.26m (13' 11.75"), while DeBellis finished fifth with a mark of 3.91m (12' 10").
Breeana Coleman also added an event title for the Illini, winning the 60m hurdles. Coleman won the event with a time of 8.36 after qualifying for Saturday's final with the fastest time in prelims.
"Breeana continues to be consistent for us on a weekly basis," noted hurdles coach Randy Gillon. "She is doing a good job of solidifying some technical changes that we have been working on in practice. I'm pleased with where she is at going into the conference meet and I suspect that she will be dropping some more time in the near future."
In the 60m dash, Kymbriona Taylor finished sixth in Saturday's final after qualifying in seventh during Friday's prelims.
The 800m produced a career-best time from Nicole Choquette. She completed the race in 2:08.72, one full second ahead of her previous personal record. Lindsey Rakosnik also had good performance, finishing in 2:11.41.
"This was one of the big meets for the middle distance events this weekend and our team competed well," explained distance coach Scott Jones. "Nicole and Lindsey continue to perform well and have positioned themselves to have good performances at the Big Ten meet."
In the 3,000m, Denise Branch and Hanna Winter had strong performances. Branch ran her best time as a collegiate athlete with a 9:55.93, and Winter was close to her personal best with a 9:56.86. In the mile, Britten Petrey ran 4:56.70 in another strong showing.
Illinois will be back in action when they host the Orange and Blue Open at the UI Armory on Saturday, Feb. 21. Field events begin at 10 a.m. and running events start at noon.
Illini Top Performers at Iowa State Classic (Day Two)
Pole Vault
1. Stephanie Richartz, 4.26m (13' 11.75")
5. Jennifer DeBellis, 3.91m (12' 10")
60m - Prelims
6. Kymbriona Taylor, 7.76
60m Hurdles - Finals
1. Breeana Coleman, 8.36
800m
12. Nicole Choquette, 2:08.72
20. Lindsey Rakosnik, 2:11.41
