Full Results
AMES, IOWA. – Coach Garner's squad completed competition at the Iowa State Classic this afternoon in Ames, Iowa. Freshman Jayla Stewart highlighted Saturday's action with a personal-best time in the 60m dash. Stewart was joined by two other Illini earning personal-best marks in their respective events.
"I'm very happy with the hurdlers, they're doing a great job. I'm seeing Janile [Rogers] work through things on the long jump and Sade Hargrove with a season-best time, and then Lindsey Rakosnik competing hard in the 800m." Â
The Orange and Blue began day two of the Iowa State Classic with the 60m dash prelims. After an impressive day one in the hurdles, sprints and hurdles coach Randy Gillon saw more strong performances from his group. Jayla Stewart qualified for the final with a 7.65 time in the prelim, and then followed it up with a 7.59 personal-record time, besting the three other Big Ten competitors in the final, to place fourth.
Although Sade Hargrove did not qualify for the final, she clocked a season-best time of 7.73. The personal-record was the freshman's second of the weekend after doing so in the 200m on Friday. Kymbriona Taylor and Briana Driver crossed the finish line in 7.74 and 7.91, respectively.
In the pole vault, Sara McKeeman had a career day, clearing 12'91/2" (3.90m) to finish in the top-10. Tying her mark was teammate Jennifer DeBellis, who also cleared 12'91/2" (3.90m).
"She did a really nice job," said Garner. "That personal-record is a breakthrough, and if she had been able to replicate the same vault at 4.05m, she probably would have cleared it."
In triple jump competition, Kortni Smyers-Jones marked 38'6" (11.73m) in her second attempt, but was unable to exceed that mark in her remaining attempts.
"Her mark wasn't as good as last week, but she made some progress on the runway, and that's good because that's going to pay dividends," explained Garner. "We desire more, but we thought she worked very well."
Nicole Choquette and Lindsey Rakosnik crossed the finish line in tandem in the 800m run, Choquette's 2:11.15 edging Rakosnik's 2:11.43.
"Lindsey [Rakosnik] ran a nice race in the 800m," said Garner. "It was solid from start to finish. She ran through the two, came through the four [hundred meters] in the lead. At 600m she was challenged, but she fought through it all the way to the finish line. It was nice to see her that competitive."
The Illini return to home to host the Orange and Blue Open next Saturday at the UI Armory. The meet begins with field events at 9 a.m., followed by track events at noon. Admission is free.
"We had good attitude, we worked hard, but we have to do better. We have a home meet next week, but then we leave on Wednesday [for Big Ten Championships.] Not that we have to make major changes. We have to make a commitment and refine some of our issues.
Top-10 Finishes:
2) Pedrya Seymour: 60m Hurdles, 8.27
4) Jayla Stewart: 60m, 7.59
4) Janile Rogers: Long Jump, 19'0" (5.79m)
5) Kandie Bloch-Jones: High Jump, 5'7" (1.70m)
6) Kortni Smyers-Jones: 60mh Hurdles, 8.53
8) Jayla Stewart: 60m Hurdles, 8.57
9) Sade Hargrove: 200m, 24.72
10)Jennifer DeBellis: Pole Vault, 12'91/2" (3.90m)
10)Sara McKeeman: Pole Vault, 12'91/2" (3.90m)
