Results

ORLANDO, FL. – Competing in a dual format for the first time since the beginning of the indoor season, the Illini notched five individual titles but were unable to top Central Florida. One of those titles came from Pedrya Seymour, who won the 100m hurdles in her first time competing in the event at the collegiate level.

"It was a head-to-head, back-and-forth, very competitive meet. We had some nice things happen on certain things where on [UCF] end wasn't contested. I think this meet will pay off later in the season. Every meet doesn't have to be a personal-best mark or time. As our coaches continue to tell our team, it's a track season. You're supposed to have different things happen in different situations, and you have to learn from those situations to prepare us for the future."

Back to the track for first time since placing 11^th at Indoor World Track & Field Championships, hurdler Pedrya Seymour picked up where she left off. Seymour clocked the fastest 100m hurdle time of the day, besting teammate Kortni Smyers-Jones to take the title. Her time of 13.50 edged out Smyers-Jones' 13.96.

"[Pedrya,] even after the indoor season, is still new to the event, to the short hurdles," explained Garner. "Putting two or three in an event [final,] that's what we want to see happening with the hurdles," explained Garner. "Kortni had a competitive race, she had to earn the second spot all the way through."

Outside of their performance in the 100m hurdles, the Orange & Blue were most impressive in field event competition today.

All-American Kandie Bloch-Jones won the high jump competition for the second straight week, winning today with a mark of 5'9.25" (1.76m). Joining Bloch-Jones, Kortni Smyers-Jones used a 38'10.5" (11.85m) leap in the triple jump to claim victory over Briana Potter (UCF) by over a foot. Rounding out the three titles in the field, Sara McKeeman nearly matched the pole vault clearance she recorded at Big Ten Indoor Championships back in February. The sophomore set a new personal-best mark of 13'1.5" (4.00m) to lead the field, while teammate Jennifer DeBellis placed second.

Valerie Bobart paced the distance team today with her performance in the 3,000m steeplechase. After winning the event at the Baldy Castillo Invite, the sophomore bested her time from three weeks ago with a 10:42.42 time today.

In the 200m, Janile Rogers set a new personal-best time with a 24.14 mark to place third.

"She didn't get a great start, was way back, but really ran a great last 120 meters of the race," said Garner. "She had a couple tough moments in her long jump early, and then didn't get out well in the 4x100m. So, it was nice to see somebody redeem themselves."

Although not victorious today, the 4x100m relay team continued their steady progression this season with a new season-best time. With Seymour making her season debut in the event, Seymour, Rogers, Stewart, Taylor combined for a 45.30 time. The mark cut nearly a third of a second off of their previous best time.

"We had a decent pass [to start], but Janile [Rogers] got out slow on the first exchange," said Gardner. "We had a good exchange on the second one from Janile to Jayla, and then Jayla started catching a cramp about two-thirds into the run. Then Kym fired out and it was a really competitive finish as those two were going at it."

Up next, the Fighting Illini will take a week away from competition before hosting the annual Illini Twilight on April 23.

"It was nice to see all the parents travel down here and show so much support for a dual meet," exclaimed Garner. "The commitment that they and their athletes have for this program is incredible, and shows our potential. We had parents from New York City, Bahamas, Chicago and an alum from Miami up to watch the team. Those are nice things when you have ten different families that came to watch us."