Full Results
GENEVA, OHIO. – The 2016 edition of Big Ten Indoor Championships concluded with a trio of Illini marking podium finishes in their event final. Kandie Bloch-Jones started things off in the morning in the high jump, followed by Nicole Choquette in the 800m, and concluded by Pedrya Seymour in the 60m hurdles.
"I really liked the way the girls responded today," said Head Coach Ron Garner. "They were there for one another and fought hard all the way through the 4x400m. There were a lot of learning experiences this weekend, and some positives, that we can take into the outdoor season."
The Orange and Blue started the day off on the right foot, as Kandie Bloch-Jones exemplified why she's one of the best high jumpers in the Big Ten. The junior from Argenta, Illinois began the day by clearing 5'7" (1.70m) and 5'81/2" (1.74m) on her first attempt, and then used two attempts to clear 5'10" (1.78m). With nine jumpers remaining at 5'111/4" (1.81m), Bloch-Jones once again cleared the bar on her first attempt, only one of two to do so. With only three jumpers remaining, the junior made three attempts at 6'01/2 (1.84m), but ultimately fell short of clearing. With neither Purdue's Janae Moffitt nor Nebraska's Reka Czuth clearing the bar at 1.84m, the Illini jumper placed second behind Moffitt of Purdue.
"Kandie [Bloch-Jones] has contended for a Big Ten title all five times we've had a chance to go to a Big Ten meet," said Garner. "She did a nice job. You're trying to get the win, but there was a large field today. Progressing through the event, she jumped through more heights than she normally would have to get to that bar because it was a way to stay relaxed and have a rhythm. Once she got to the 5'103/4" and then the 5'11", good efforts. She got those clearances, moved on, and actually was in position to win. The Big Ten conference has changed significantly in that event. I'm excited for the future, and I know that she's ready for the NCAA Championships."
Not to be outdone, fellow junior Nicole Choquette finished strong in the 800m to place second, the second podium finish of the day for the Orange & Blue. With just 100 meters to go, Nicole was in the heat of a battle with two runners from Michigan. The Illini from Urbana, Illinois closed hard to nip Danielle Pfeifer by four-hundredths of a second to take second place.
"Nicole was consistent as always, she ran a good race and finished strong," said Garner. She put herself in position after the 400m to go for the win, and she was right there. She just ran out of real estate. "It's always good to see someone set a personal-best mark at a conference meet."
In Illinois' final track final of the Big Ten Indoor meet, Pedrya Seymour entered the hurdle final after qualifying yesterday with a time of 8.31. In the final, the red-shirt sophomore shaved .15 seconds off of that mark to place third in the event final. The time moves her into seventh on the Illinois all-time 60m hurdle list.
"That's an outstanding performance, and all the credit goes to Coach [Randy] Gillon," said Garner. "He's done a tremendous job in bringing her along. It's been two seasons in the works. She's had a lot of perseverance in her first two years to work through things and develop her body to be at that level. It's been amazing the past three weeks to see that level of execution."
Kortni Smyers-Jones rounded out her first Big Ten Championships with a season-best mark in the triple jump. The Illini jumper leaped 39'51/4" (12.02m), but finished outside of the top-eight.
The Fighting Illini concluded competition at Indoor Big Ten Championships with the 4x400m relay. The four of Seymour, Hargrove, Berry and Marry finished in 3:43.59. The time marked the best time of the season for Illinois relay team.
Top Illinois Results (Saturday):
High Jump:
2. Kandie Bloch-Jones, 5-111/4 (1.81m) – 8 points
800m:
2. Nicole Choquette, 2:05.90 – 8 points
60m Hurdles:
3. Pedrya Seymour, 8.16 – 6 point
Triple Jump:
11. Kortni Smyers-Jones, 39'51/4" (12.02m)
Top Illinois Results (Friday):
800m:
4. Nicole Choquette – 2:07.46Q
10. Lindsey Rakosnik – 2:09.64
60m Hurdles:
3. Pedrya Seymour – 8.31Q
12. Jayla Stewart – 8.48
13. Kortni Smyers-Jones – 8.49
Pole Vault:
9. Sara McKeeman – 13-13/4 (4.01m)
