@IlliniMTrack Lafond, DMR, Wells Score; Hurdles Advance

Friday, February 26

Geneva, Ohio.

All Day

University of Illinois

Big Ten Indoor Championships

@IlliniMTrack Lafond, DMR, Wells Score; Hurdles Advance

February 26, 2016 | Men's Track & Field

Four #Illini Qualify for Event Finals Tomorrow

Full Results

GENEVA, OHIO. – After four Illini qualified for five finals spots tomorrow, the Orange and Blue surged in the day's final events to finish the opening day third in the team score. Dylan Lafond, Jonathan Wells, and the distance medley relay team each scored for the Illini, a momentum they hope to carry over into day two of the meet.

Dylan Lafond got the Fighting Illini on the scoreboard with a runner-up finish in the 3,000m. The junior's time of 8:04.59 placed behind Wisconsin's Morgan McDonald's 7:52.09 winning time. Also competing in the event was Ian Barnett, placing 11^th with a time of 8:10.66, and Alex Gold, who finished with a time of 8:16.76.

"The distance races never go out fast enough for the times to be super fast, it's all about tactics and competitiveness," said Turk". "Dylan is a champion and that 3,000m was a big performance."

Building upon Lafond's eight points was the distance medley relay team, following suit with a second-place finish of their own. The quartet of Liam Markham, Cam Viney, Konrad Eiring, and Garrett Lee finished the event in 9:45.91, second to Penn State's 9:43.25.

"What a contrast to the DMR last year where we failed to score," said Coach Turk. "We've had to juggle personnel and the line-up because of injuries. Because of the injuries, we had to put cam on the 400 leg and elected to keep Konrad fresh for the DMR (held out of an open event). We've asked the whole team to put the injuries behind us, step up and compete to the best of their abilities. The whole team put that kind of effort out there and the DMR was a real statement for our team. Liam battled to the lead, cam was solid and Konrad kept us in position with a gutsy 800 leg. I felt really good about Garrett Lee with the stick in the position he was in. Just a super performance from the guys and a great way to end day one."

Illinois' final point-scorer of the opening day of competition came from sophomore Jonathan Wells in the long jump. The Fox Lake, Illinois native jumped a personal-best mark of 24'4^1/2" (7.43m) to place fifth overall in the event. The mark bested his previous mark of 24-0^3/4 (7.33m) set last season.

"Jonathan had a great day," commented Turk. "A big personal best to make the hurdle final, which was the first objective, then another personal best in the long jump. I felt that if he ran well in the hurdles, it would set him up well for the long jump. I'm very happy with his performance, and look forward to what he can do tomorrow."

Earlier in the day, the Fighting Illini sprints and hurdles group set themselves up for success tomorrow with four qualifying times during day one.

The success began with freshman Devin Quinn impressing in his 60m dash preliminary heat. The freshman from Punta Gorda won his heat with a time of 6.80, third overall, to advance to tomorrow's final. Also donning the Orange and Blue was Cole Henderson, finishing his heat in 6.82, while Maat clocked 6.85 in his section.

"Devin has been preparing for this meet mentally for a couple of weeks," exclaimed Turk. "We could see a change in his demeanor leading up to the meet. This is what he came to our program to do. He had a heck of a day!"

Two Illini hurdlers made it to the eight-athlete final during the event's prelims this afternoon. Senior Cam Viney led his heat with a 7.75 time, second best overall, to win the heat. Running in the lane next to Viney, Wells earned an at-large bid tomorrow with a personal-record time of 7.96.

"What you see in Cam is a veteran performer," said Turk. "He has been through this all before. He's had ups and downs at the big ten meet but it seems he every year he goes to a higher level with his performance and his competitiveness. To have a good meet and a solid program, I believe your seniors have to perform well. Cam is providing that spark for us this year."

The last of the sprint qualifying came in the 200m, where Devin Quinn qualified for his second final of the day. Devin Quinn blew away his previous record of 21.51 with a 21.20 time to place seventh overall. Also setting a new personal-record was Mo Maat with a 21.62 mark, one that was nearly two-tenths of a second faster than his previous best. Rounding out the three Illini runners was Cole Henderson, timing 22.01.

Garrett Lee led the lone middle distance qualification with a seventh-place finish in the mile. Lee qualified for tomorrow afternoon's event final with an at-large qualifying time of 4:07.75, while teammate Liam Markham fall one spot shy of qualification, timing a 4:08.50 mile.

Up Next:

Big Ten Indoor Championships conclude tomorrow, beginning with the men's high jump where Jonathan Wells will seek his first Big Ten title. Early afternoon competition includes Devin Quinn in the 60m dash final at 1:10 p.m. A little over a half-hour later, Cam Viney and Jonathan Wells will compete in the 60m hurdle final at around 1:50 p.m. CT. Dylan Lafond returns to the track for the 5,000m run at 3:05 p.m.

Team Rankings (5 Events Scored):