Results
EUGENE, Ore. – Fighting Illini Men's Track & Field distance runner Dylan Lafond made his first appearance at U.S. Olympic Trials this evening at historic Hayward Field. One of only six collegiate runners in the field, the Illini senior timed 8:59.95 in the first round of the 3,000m steeplechase, but was unable to advance to the event final, placing 21st overall.
"Making it to this meet, being one of the top-24 steeplechasers in the country, is something he can be very proud of," said distance coach Jake Stewart. "Walking away from it, maybe not with the outcome he wanted, there will be things he can learn from and be better for in the future. Everyone he was racing against is very good, he stuck his nose in it and tried to make something happen. Now, it's taking the result of the day and applying it in the future in a positive way."
Lafond jumped out to the front of the pack, leading with a 36:33 opening lap and stayed towards the front of the pack through the first four laps of the eight-lap race. However, the Illini senior was unable to hold off the veteran-laden field, placing 12th in his heat and 21st overall.
A 2015 All-American in the 3,000m steeplechase, Lafond red-shirted during the 2016 outdoor season, but qualified for the trials with a time of 8:32.74. In 2016, Lafond rewrote Illinois school records in the 3,000m and 5,000m. On January 22, Lafond clocked an 8:00.48 time at Rod McCravy to set a new school mark in the 3,000m run. A few weeks later, he followed it up by setting a new Illinois record in the 5,000m, timing 13:46.72. Lafond also owns Illinois' cross-country 8,000m mark, timing 23:22.40 at Big Ten Championships this past fall.
"With him red-shirting this spring, [making Olympic Trials] was the goal and he made it," said Stewart. "He can use this to really build into his fifth year with us, and gain a new found confidence because of this experience."
Next up for the Orange & Blue, hurdler David Kendziera will make his first appearance at Olympic Trials, competing in the opening round of the 400m hurdles on July 7 at 8:53 p.m. central time.
Illini Schedule of Events:
David Kendziera – 400m hurdles
July 7:   First Round – 8:53 p.m. CT
July 8:   Semifinal – 6:47 p.m. CT
July 10:  Final – 6:51 p.m. CT
For complete coverage of Men's Track & Field go to FIGHTINGILLINI.COM and follow @IlliniMTrack on Twitter.Â
