University of Illinois
Iowa State Cyclone Classic
Dylan Lafond Breaks @IlliniMTrack 5K Record
February 12, 2016 | Men's Track & Field
Lafond Completes 5K in 13:46.72
AMES, IOWA. – It was another record-setting performance from distance runner Dylan Lafond, etching his name in the Illinois record books yet again. Tonight, Lafond broke the school record in the 5,000m run with a time of 13:46.72, breaking Jeff Jacobs' 13:52.35 time back in 1984. In addition to Lafond, the Orange and Blue totaled three other top-five finishes and a handful of personal-records. It's the second school record Dylan has broken this season, with the first coming in the 3,000m (8:00.48) on January 23.
"I thought he did a very good job of, in early stages of the race, allowing the pace itself to settle in," said distance coach Jake Stewart. "They had a pacer out there and it was little more sporadic than what we would have liked early on. And, he just kind of sat back and let it play itself out. Once the race got into a rhythm it wanted it to get into, he did a good job from about mile one to two. The plan was to let it get to where [the race] was settling in, and then really run hard the last mile. He did that, and I don't think there's anything else he could have done strategically. I think he did a good job of responding to moves, and I don't think he left any moves out on the track. He can be really satisfied with that. That's two school records in the last three races, so that's quite the accomplishment."
Earlier in the day, Cam Viney notched the lone Illini first-place finish of the day. A week after moving into third-place on the school's all-time 60m hurdle list, the senior followed it up with an event title this afternoon. Viney led the field with a 7.96 time in the prelims during the morning, then increased his performance with a 7.89 time in the final to beat out the other seven finalists.
In the 200m, Devin Quinn returned to the track after missing last weekend's meet in Lincoln to place fourth overall with a personal-record time of 21.51. The only other Illini in the event, Mo Maat, placed 12th with a time of 21.89.
In the men's weight throw, Matsen Dziedzic had the top Illini performance with a throw of 58'-10" (18.61m), while teammate Michael Hyc marked a 54'-101/4" (18.22m) heave.
The Fighting Illini distance group competed in both the 5,000m and 3,000m to wrap up day one of the Iowa State Classic, with Lafond's school record in the 5,000m leading the way. Earlier in the day, Dan Lathrop and Billy Magnesen both set personal-records in the first two sections of the 5,000m. Lathrop finished with a 14:28.93 time, while Billy Magnesen followed with a 14:30.60 mark
In the 3,000m, Ian Barnett was the top Illini finisher with a time of 8:06.25. Sophomore Alex Gold followed Barnett with a personal-record time of 8:10.52. Rounding the trio was Zack Smith, completing the 3,000m in 8:29.68.
The Orange and Blue continue competition at Iowa State tomorrow, beginning with the 800m run at 10 a.m. In sprints, the 60m dash will take place at 1:10 p.m., followed by the 400m at 2:40. Field events begin with the high jump at 1 p.m., followed by the shot put at 2 p.m. For live updates throughout the day, follow @IlliniMTrack on Twitter and visit fightingillini.com for full coverage after the meet concludes.
Top-Five Finishes (Friday):
1) Cam Viney: 60m Hurdles, 7.89
4) Devin Quinn: 200m, 21.51
8) Dylan Lafond: 5,000m, 13:46.72
.@DylanLafond breaks the school's 5K record with a time of 13:46.72! #Illini pic.twitter.com/p2o7s5TOJe
— Illini Men's Track (@IlliniMTrack) February 13, 2016
Freshman Devin Quinn shreds another two tenths off of his 200m time, placing fourth with a time of 21.51! pic.twitter.com/aijnHhLdpN
— Illini Men's Track (@IlliniMTrack) February 12, 2016
Two #Illini with PRs in the first two sections of 5K @billy_bucketz and @dan_lathrop50 pic.twitter.com/W6tp1pCnp1
— Illini Men's Track (@IlliniMTrack) February 12, 2016
Alex Gold wraps up Day 1 of Iowa State Classic with a PR in the 3K #Illini pic.twitter.com/7dwsoc1z3o
— Illini Men's Track (@IlliniMTrack) February 13, 2016
