EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Fighting Illini men's track and field team opened its run towards a Big Ten Outdoor Championship title on Friday at Michigan State's Ralph Young Track and Field. The Orange and Blue tallied 11 points on the opening day of competition, putting them in third place. Defending champion Wisconsin leads the team race after the first day with 21 points. Purdue is hot on the Badgers' heels with 18 points. Illinois and Penn State (8) sit in third and fourth, respectively, while Michigan State and Minnesota are tied for fifth with six points.
In the final event of the day, the 10,000m, Jannis Toepfer produced Illinois' highest finish. Toepfer ran 29:30.36 to finish in third place and net the six points in the team standings. Brendan McDonnell also competed in the event, posting a time of 30:26.72 to finish 14th.
Davis Fraker also scored points for the Illini on the opening day of the championships. In the hammer competition, Fraker uncorked a heave of 66.46m (218' 0.75") on his final throw to grab fourth place and five points for the team.
Corey Hammon and George Wayda competed in the first five events of the decathlon on Friday. At the conclusion of the first day of the competition, Hammon sits in sixth place with 3,792 points and Wayda is in 16th with 3,391 points.
The decathletes' day began the day with the 100m dash, in which Hammon (11.05) and Wayda (11.68) each recorded season-best times. Hammon's mark garnered him 850 points, while Wayda scored 715 points.
In the long jump, Hammon recorded a leap of 6.59m (21' 7.5") for an additional 718 points. Wayda's mark of 6.17m (20' 3") earned him 624 points.
Wayda took top honors among the duo in the shot put portion of the competition, registering a toss of 13.05m (42' 9.75") for a total of 670 points. Hammon was not too far behind, collecting 652 points with a heave of 12.75m (41' 10"). Both marks were personal-bests performances for the Illini duo.
In the high jump, Hammon added 767 points to his total with a clearance of 1.96m (6' 5") in the high jump. Wayda's personal-best leap of 1.87m (6' 1.50") netted him an additional 687 points.
In the final even of the opening day of the decathlon, the 400m, Hammon finished with the second-fastest time in the field. He crossed the line in 50.21, notching his final 805 points of the day. Wayda's personal-best time of 52.68 gave him 695 points.
Hammon and Wayda will return to action tomorrow morning at 9:30 a.m. EST for the second day of decathlon. The discus competition, beginning at 1:00 p.m., marks the start of the field events on the meet's second day. Running events will begin at 2:50 p.m. with the 1,500m run.
Big Ten Championships Team Standings
1. Wisconsin - 21
2. Purdue - 18
3. Illinois - 11
4. Penn State - 8
T-5. Michigan St. - 6
T-5. Minnesota - 6
7. Iowa - 4
8. Nebraska - 3
9. Michigan - 1
Illinois Results at 2015 Big Ten Outdoor Championships
10,000m
3. Jannis Toepfer - 29:30.36 - 6 team points
14. Brendan McDonnell - 30.26.72
Hammer Throw
4. Davis Fraker - 66.46m (218' 0.75") - 5 team points
22. Matsen Dziedzic - 54.95m (180' 3.75")
23. Michael Hyc - 49.69m (163' 0.50")
Decathlon - 100m
8. Corey Hammon - 11.05 [850 pts.]
17. George Wayda - 11.68 [715 pts.]
Decathlon - Long Jump
10. Corey Hammon - 6.59m (21' 7.5") [718 pts.]
18. George Wayda - 6.17m (20' 3") [624 pts.]
Decathlon - Shot Put
5. George Wayda - 13.05m (42' 9.75") [670 pts.]
8. Corey Hammon - 12.75m (41' 10") [652 pts.]
Decathlon - High Jump
T-3. Corey Hammon - 1.96m (6' 5") [767 pts.]
T-13. George Wayda - 1.87m (6' 1.50") [687 pts.]
Decathlon - 400m
2. Corey Hammon - 50.21 [805 pts.]
17. George Wayda - 52.68 [695 pts.]
Decathlon (Through Five Events)
6. Corey Hammon - 3,792 points
16. George Wayda - 3,391 points
