University of Illinois
Orange and Blue Open
Illini Dominate Field at Orange and Blue Open
February 21, 2015 | Women's Track & Field
Results | Highlights | Coach Garner Interview
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Illinois women's track and field team wrapped up the indoor regular season with a strong performance at the Orange and Blue Open. The Illini won 12 event titles en route to a team victory.
"It was an excellent job by the team as a whole," said head coach Ron Garner. "We went into it trying to look at it as a tune-up for the Big Ten Championships and what came out of it was a lot of season bests, PRs, a school record and some improvements on the national lists."
The highlight of the day came in the pole vault where, once again, Stephanie Richartz continued to shine. Richartz won the event with a clearance of 4.38m (14' 4.50"), breaking her own school record of 4.33m (14' 2.50"). Jennifer DeBellis and Sara McKeeman finished right behind Richartz, taking second and third, respectively.
"Probably the biggest highlight is the level that Stephanie Richartz is performing at," Garner exclaimed. "She's been tremendous and the consistency is there, but there is still a lot more and that's the great thing."
The 600m also produced a group of Illini that performed well. Nicole Choquette led the way, earning the win in 1:30.31. That performance is the best in the Big Ten and the third-fastest time in Illinois history, bettering her previous best of 1:30.47. Lindsey Rakosnik also recorded a personal-best time, finishing second in 1:33.77. Miranda Marry and Moira McAsey finished third and fourth, respectively.
Breeana Coleman was a double event winner for Illinois, winning titles in the 60m (7.58) and 60m hurdles (8.30). Her time in the 60m hurdles was her best performance of the season.
"Breeana had another great day," continued Garner. "We think next week is when her national improvement will take place."
Kymbriona Taylor grabbed the win in the 200m with a time of 25.31, while Jasmine Berry won the 400m in 57.43. Hanna Winter was victorious in the mile with a 4:59.57 performance, and Amanda Fox made her season debut by winning the 3,000m in a personal-best time of 9:54.32. The 4x400m relay team of Berry, Rakosnik, Britten Petrey and Marry wrapped up action on the track with a winning effort of 3:55.45.
The field events produced three more event titles for the Illini. Mariah Smith won the weight throw with a career-best toss of 17.50m (57' 5"), the fourth-best mark in school history. Janile Rogers added a win in the long jump with a leap of 5.42m (17' 9.50"), and Kandie Bloch-Jones rounded out the day with a win the high jump, clearing 1.75m (5' 8.75").
"Mariah had a challenge put before her last week and, once again, she answered it," noted Garner. "She responded with a PR. It was a four-foot PR and that's pretty huge, but that's where she is supposed to be. That's what we believed all along."
The Illini will head to the Big Ten Championships in Geneva, Ohio next week. The championships begin on Friday, Feb. 27 and run through Saturday, Feb. 28. Competition begins at 10 a.m. ET each day.
"I think we are going into the Big Tens ready to give our best performances of the season," Garner concluded.
Illini Event Winners
200m - Kymbriona Taylor, 25.31
600m - Nicole Choquette, 1:30.31
3,000m - Amanda Fox, 9:54.32
60m Hurdles - Breeana Coleman, 8.30
4x400m Relay - Jasmine Berry, Lindsey Rakosnik, Britten Petrey & Miranda Marry, 3:55.45
High Jump - Kandie Bloch-Jones, 1.75m (5' 8.75")
Pole Vault - Stephanie Richartz, 4.38m (14' 4.50")
Weight Throw - Mariah Smith, 17.50m (57' 5")
Long Jump - Janile Rogers, 5.42m (17' 9.50")
