Vinèy’s Pair of Bronze Medals Highlight @IlliniMTrack B1G Ten Championships Finale

Sunday, May 15

Lincoln, Neb.

Al Day

University of Illinois

Big Ten Outdoor Championships

Vinèy’s Pair of Bronze Medals Highlight @IlliniMTrack B1G Ten Championships Finale

May 15, 2016 | Men's Track & Field

Viney concludes Big Ten Championships career with 7th and 8th Medals

Final Results

LINCOLN, Neb. – Cam Viney added two bronze medals to his collegiate resume with third-place finishes in the 110m hurdles and 400m hurdles on the final day of Big Ten Championships. The Fighting Illini placed 11th out of the 13-team field after winning the title in 2015.

"This was quite a contrast to where we were a year ago," said Head Coach Mike Turk. "Still, I have no issues with our team, the way they competed. The intensity and desire was where we wanted it. The focus in preparation was where it needs to be. This weekend was a reflection of our whole year, not much went right. With guys getting tripped up on the track and injuries, it's just been a very tough year and championship. At the end of the day, we fell short of our goals but we will be back. We have to remember that we have lofty aspirations and tremendous opportunities in the future. We will get better, grow and come back stronger."

Cam Viney, the defending 400m hurdle champion and 2015 110m hurdles runner-up, took home bronze medals in both events this afternoon at Ed Weir Stadium. In the 110m, Viney shaved four-tenths of a second off his prelim mark to clock a season-best 13.74 time in the final, losing to Aaron Mallet's 13.48 mark that set a new stadium record.

Vinèy returned later in the afternoon to defend his 400m hurdle title. Like in the 110m hurdles, Vinèy improved upon his prelim mark from yesterday to finish in 50.67 but was upended by Michigan freshman Taylor McLaughlin's 49.80 winning time.

"Cam has a real solid 100H race and ran a solid race for third," said Turk. "His 400 hurdles race, I think he was tentative, as he got behind early. He was way behind coming off the turn with 100 meters to go, but he stuck with it and had a great finish for another third. I know he was disappointed in his 400H performance, but he was ok. And, I feel he has a great opportunity at the NCAA meet to get on a roll and get on the podium."

A pair of Illini sprinters added points in the 100m dash final this afternoon. Freshman Devin Quinn followed up his pair of point-scoring efforts at Big Ten Championships with a sixth-place finish in today's final. His 10.76 mark bested teammate Mo Maat who placed eighth.

"Devin ran well for sixth," explained Turk. "I felt his start and acceleration were good, but his top end speed wasn't as good as yesterday. I think that's a reflection of the missed practice time he has had this year. He ran tough for a freshman and I am proud of him. I can't say enough about Mo Maat. After pulling a quad muscle in the 200 prelims, he still went out and went down the track the best he could to get us a point. I know that was a tough thing for him to do for the team."

In his final Big Ten Championships competition, senior Bryce Basting added three points for the Illini in the 1500m final. After he and Jesse Reiser qualified for the final on Saturday, Basting placed sixth for the Orange & Blue in the final with a time of 3:47.82.

"Basting and Reiser both ran smart races and were in good position," said Turk. "Unfortunately, Jesse was mocked off the track with just under 300 meters to go and couldn't recover. Bryce finished well against a tough field to score. Great way for Bryce to go out as a senior and a tough way for Jesse to end up as a freshman. Not much he could do different."

Both Illinois relay teams scored points on Sunday with both quartets setting season-best times today.

Illinois' 4x100m relay team scored three points for the team with a sixth-place finish. The Orange & Blue quartet of Cole Henderson, Devin Quinn, Joe Haight and Kenneth Allen clocked a season-best time of 40.33, topping their performance at the Mt. SAC Relays in early April.

"These guys ran great under the circumstances," said Turk. "With Mo Maat getting injured in the 200 prelims, we once again had to completely change our line-up. This time it was Kenneth Allen who stepped up. Kenneth has never run on our 4 x 1 and he stepped into the anchor spot and really did well. We ran a season's best to get some points on the board. All four guys performed very well."

The 4x400m relay team of Kenneth Allen, Matt Burns, Cam Viney, and Joe McAsey also set a personal-best mark to place seventh. The four Illini combined for a time of 3:07.78 that bested the team's 3:10.86 time set at the Illinois Twilight.

"So proud of these guys, dropping so much time to run a season best and position themselves for an NCAA bid," said Turk. "Matt Burns did a good job of giving us a reliable lead off leg, and then the other guys just went to work. Joey McAsey just refused to let his season end and made a huge difference for us on the second leg. We've missed that piece. Allen and Viney ran season-best splits to bring us home in a very respectable time."

The Fighting Illini track and field team will have a week off from competition before the NCAA West Regional. Competition will take place in Lawrence, Kansas on May 27-28.

Final Team Scores: