Full Results
LAS VEGAS – The Fighting Illini men's track and field team began outdoor competition with nine event titles at the UNLV Invite on Saturday afternoon, including a sweep of the sprints and hurdles events. David Kendziera and Devin Quinn both contributed two event titles to lead the Illini and the 4x100m relay team clocked a sub-40 time in their season debut. The Illini placed first in the eight-team competition with 174 points.
"It was a good opener, especially considering how bad the weather has been for training at home," said Head Coach Mike Turk. "I feel like we are in a much better place than we were a year ago."
The Orange and Blue had a strong opener to the season in the sprints as well, breaking 40 seconds in the 4x100m relay and sweeping the 100m, 200m and 400m open events.
The Illini 4x100m relay team clocked a faster time in their first race this season than they did all of last season, as Mo Maat, Josh Eiker, Joe Haight and Devin Quinn combined to win the event with a time of 39.68.
"The 4x100m relay might have been the performance of the day. We struggled with injuries, and didn't even break 40 seconds last year. So, to open up at 39.68 is outstanding. It's a good start and we can still improve."
Devin Quinn took top honors in the 100m with a time of 10.43. Junior Mo Maat made it an Illini sweep of the top two spots with a time of 10.54 to place runner-up.
The Illini also swept the top two spots in the 200m, as Quinn won his second event of the day with a time of 21.16. Joe Haight was second across the finish line with a time of 21.52.
"Quinn was outstanding on the relay, but really stood out in both the 100m and 200m," Turk said of the sophomore sprinter.
Kenneth Allen and Joe Haight continued the momentum in the 400m dash, as the duo placed first and fourth, respectively. Allen led the field with a time of 47.27, while Haight followed with a time of 47.80.
Coming off of his fourth-place finish at NCAA Indoor Championships in the 60m hurdles, David Kendziera kicked off his outdoor season by sweeping the hurdles events at the UNLV Invite. Kendziera started the day with a title in the 110m hurdles, timing 13.73, and then returned to win the 400m hurdles with a time of 51.93.
"Kendziera had a great day. 13.73 in his first 110m hurdle race surprised me a bit," explained Turk. "Competing in the NCAA indoor meet didn't allow him any real prep time to run in either event."
The Illini also received two event titles in field events, as Jacob LaRocca won the pole vault and Matsen Dziedzic won the hammer throw.
Following a sixth place finish at Big Ten Indoor Championships, the Illini pole vaulter opened his outdoor season with a height of 16'4.75" (5.00m) to win the event.
"Jake LaRocca was outstanding in the pole vault," said Turk. "It was a short approach personal-best for the win on a day where windy conditions became a factor. He made some nice adjustments to put together a good performance."
Dylan Lafond won Illinois' lone distance title of the day, winning the 10,000m race with a time of 31:38.29.
In throwing events, Matsen Dziedzic won the hammer throw on Friday evening by marking 183'1" (55.82m) on his third attempt of the day. Hyc added a runner-up finish in the shot put with a heave of 54'8.5" (16.68m) and Aaron Wilks placed second in the javelin with a throw of 204'5" (62.32m).
"Wilks had a solid day. It's always a waiting game for the javelin throwers to get a chance to compete. They can have a tendency to try to do too much. I thought he handled things really well and had a solid, consistent day.
Up next, the Fighting Illini will have a week off from competition before splitting their squad between the Texas Relays and Stanford Invite on March 30 - April 1.
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Event Titles:
Matsen Dziedzic – Hammer Throw, 183'1" (55.82m)
4x100m Relay – Mo Maat, Josh Eiker, Joe Haight and Devin Quinn, 39.68
David Kendziera – 110m hurdles, 13.73
David Kendziera – 400m hurdles, 51.93
Devin Quinn – 100m Dash, 10.43
Devin Quinn – 200m Dash, 21.16
Kenneth Allen – 400m Dash, 47.27
Jacob LaRocca – Pole Vault, 16'4.75" (5.00m)
Dylan Lafond -- 10,000m, 31:38.29
