CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Fighting Illini Women's Track and Field will compete at the prestigious Rod McCravy Memorial meet on Friday, January 20 through Saturday, January 21. Held inside the Nutter Fieldhouse in Lexington, Kentucky, the Orange and Blue will compete against some of the nation's top teams and athletes. Competition begins with multi events at 9 a.m. central time (10 a.m. EST) on both Friday and Saturday. Admission to the meet is free.
Meet Notes
Follow the Meet Live
Live results will be provided through Prime Time Timing on their website, www.pttiming.com. On Saturday, fans can also stream the meet on the SEC Network+.
A Look at the Competition
The Orange and Blue will be tested by some of the nation's best as Baylor, Clemson, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Miami, Mississippi, Penn State, Purdue, Texas and USC are all scheduled to compete in the meet. USC (No. 4), Texas (No. 5), Kentucky (No. 8) and Purdue (No. 10) all enter the meet ranked in the top-10 by USTFCCCA.
Last Year at Rod McCravy Memorial
Kandie Bloch-Jones and Nicole Choquette both had top-three performances at the meet last year. Bloch-Jones set a season-best indoor mark of 6'0" (1.83m) to place runner-up in the high jump, while Nicole Choquette set a personal-best time in the 800m with a 2:08.21 performance.
Competitions To Watch
60m Hurdles: In what will be arguably the most competitive event at the meet this weekend, Illinois' Pedrya Seymour, Jayla Stewart and Kortni Smyers-Jones will compete against three other hurdlers currently ranked in the nation's top-10, as well as five others in the top-25. Seymour's season-debut time of 8.13 ranks fourth in NCAA D1, which only trails 2016 100m hurdles NCAA champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn of Kentucky (8.10) in the meet. Ranked No. 5 in the country and second in the Big Ten, Purdue's Devynn Charlton (8.14), as well as Penn State's Quenee Dale (8.36), will add a Big Ten flavor to the event.
High Jump: Like the 60m hurdles, the high jump will have a Big Ten feel to it, as Big Ten high jump title contenders Kandie Bloch-Jones and Janae Moffitt will compete in the event. Bloch-Jones is coming off of a personal-best performance at the Illini Classic where the Illini senior cleared 6'0.75" (1.85m), which ranks third in NCAA D1 currently. Moffitt, who ranks 14th in the country with a height of 5'10.5" (1.79m), is coming off her freshman season at Purdue where she won both the indoor and outdoor Big Ten high jump titles. Joining the two Big Ten competitors will be No. 16 Erika Voyzey (Miami) and No. 21 Ellen Ekholm (Kentucky).
Next Up
The Fighting Illini will have a week off from competition next weekend before returning to the track on Friday, February 3 and Saturday, February 4 when they compete at the Meyo Invitational in South Bend, Indiana.
Illini Notes
Illini in the Rankings
With another strong meet for Kandie Bloch-Jones (high jump) and an impressive season debut from Pedrya Seymour (60m hurdles), both Fighting Illini All-Americans rank in the top-five of their respective events. Bloch-Jones' 6'0.75" (1.85m) is tied for third-best in the nation, while Seymour's 8.13 time in the hurdles is fourth-best in NCAA DI. Both Bloch-Jones' and Seymour's marks lead the Big Ten in their respective events.
Bloch-Jones Named Co-Big Ten Field Athlete of the Week
Following her personal-best mark of 6'0.75" (1.85m) at the Illini Classic, Illini senior high jumper Kandie Bloch-Jones was named Big Ten Co-Field Athlete of the Week on Wednesday, January 18. Bloch-Jones' mark currently ranks third in the country, first in the Big Ten and second on Illinois' all-time list.
Last Time Out: Bloch-Jones, Seymour Impress at Illini Classic
Kandie Bloch-Jones flirted with the Illinois high jump school record, as the Illini senior cleared 6'0.75" (1.85m) to win the competition. Bloch-Jones attempted the school record height of 6'1.75" (1.87m), but fell short on her three attempts. On the track, Pedrya Seymour made her season debut with a 60m hurdles personal-best time of 8.13 to win the event.
New Year, New Video Board
During the month of December, the UI Armory received an upgrade with the addition of a video board, located on the west wall of the track. Measuring 14 1/2 feet tall and 26 feet wide, the board will enhance the Illini fan experience during home meets this season.
The Gang's All Here
The 'Hurdle Gang' is back for their second season after the group was arguably the most consistent group on the team in 2015-16. Headlining the group was redshirt sophomore Pedrya Seymour, who advanced to indoor and outdoor NCAA Championships, and then went on to place sixth at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in the 100m hurdles. Joining Seymour were first-year Illini Jayla Stewart and Kortni Smyers-Jones. Stewart showed continued growth throughout her freshman campaign, placing at Big Ten Championships and advancing to NCAA Prelims. Over the summer, Stewart placed seventh at U.S. Track and Field Junior Championships. Smyers-Jones, a junior college transfer, also improved her times throughout her junior season and advanced to NCAA Prelims in May to put three Illini in the event.
Bloch-Jones Readies For Senior Season
Now a three-time All-American, high jumper Kandie Bloch-Jones will look to solidify herself as one of the best Illinois high jumpers in program history. Currently fourth on the school's all-time indoor list, Bloch-Jones is coming off All-America honors during the outdoor season and a 14th place finish at U.S. Olympic Trials. Bloch-Jones has a career-best mark of 6'0.5" (1.84m). The school record is 6'1.25" (1.86m).
4x100m Relay Returns With Championship Experience
All four legs of the 4x100m relay team return from last year's NCAA Championship qualifying squad. Anchored by senior Kymbriona Taylor, the Illini will again feature Janile Rogers, Seymour, Stewart and Taylor. The group placed fifth at Big Ten Outdoor Championships and 10th at NCAA West Prelims, advancing them to NCAA Championships.
B1G Faces - Pedrya Seymour
During the offseason, Pedrya Seymour was chosen as one of the Big Ten Network's Faces of Illinois, making a commercial spot that will air throughout the spring on the conference network. The redshirt junior became the first Illini to reach an Olympic final while still enrolled at University of Illinois. Seymour surged into second place all-time on the Illinois list in the 100m hurdles with a 12.64 showing in the Olympic semifinal. Representing the Bahamas, Seymour would go on to place sixth as the youngest competitor in the eight-hurdler final. As part of the commercial, Seymour also talks about suffering and overcoming injuries and the loss of her brother.
Coach Garner Hauls in Talented Class to 2017
In November, Head Coach Ron Garner, Associate Head Coach Randy Gillon and Assistant Coach Scott Jones announced the signing of five talented high school athletes to letters of national intent. The newest members of the Illini track family enter their senior high school seasons having already reeled in honors and accolades. The five combined for seven individual national titles across high school and club teams, 13 individual state titles and 212 point scored at 2016 state championship meets.
