Day 1 Full Results
IOWA CITY, Iowa – Michael Hyc (weight throw) and Devin Quinn (200m dash) highlighted day one of the Black & Gold Premier meet for the Fighting Illini track and field team. Hyc turned in a lifetime best performance of 66'5" (20.24m) to place runner-up in the weight throw, while Devin Quinn clocked 21.61 to win the 200m dash.
For the third time in as many meets, junior thrower Michael Hyc set a new lifetime-best in the weight throw competition this afternoon. In his second throw of the competition, Hyc marked 66'2.25" (20.17) to set a new personal-record, and then surpassed that mark in his final throw with a heave of 66'5" (20.24). The Chicago, Illinois native currently ranks third on Illinois' all-time list in the event.
"I'm continually more encouraged each week because I keep seeing higher capacity for his performances," Head Coach Mike Turk said of the Illini thrower. "Today I told him he looked as good as he ever has. He looked like he didn't have as much energy as I've seen him have in the past, so for him to have three throws over his old personal-best is excellent. It tells me there's probably bigger performances coming."
On the track, Illinois' Devin Quinn picked up his first event title in the 200m dash this season clocking 21.61 in heat four to edge out Wisconsin's Lorenzo Larry (21.63). The 200m victory is Quinn's first this season after placing runner-up in each of his last two meets.
"Devin was really good," said Turk. "The time wasn't super fast, but he ran a solid race. It was a competitive race, and the guy that he beat is a good, Big Ten-level performer. The thing that I liked is that he showed some real competitiveness in that race. It was close at the end, but he kept his composure and won it at the wire."
In the pole vault, redshirt freshman Jacob LaRocca led the Illini, clearing 16'2.75" (4.95m) on his third attempt to finish tied for third, while sophomore Eddie Smoliak and freshman Cooper Jazo both finished with a height of 15'3" (4.65m).
"I think all three are close to having breakout [performances] right now and move to another level," said Turk of the three pole vaulters. "Jake [LaRocca] jumped really well, showed some consistency. The bar he went out at would have been a new personal-best for him. Eddie [Smoliak] was jumping at a new personal-best when he went out and Cooper [Jazo] was just under it, so I'm really pleased with the progress those guys are making."
The Fighting Illini continue competition at the Black & Gold Premier meet tomorrow afternoon inside the UI Recreation Building, beginning with Michael Hyc and Matsen Dziedzic competing in the shot put at 12 p.m. central time.
