Full Results: Bryan Clay Invite | Mt. SAC Relays | Beach Invite
TORRANCE, Calif. – Fighting Illini hurdler David Kendziera won both the 110m hurdles and 400m hurdles at the Mt. SAC Relays, as the Illinois men's track and field team concluded action across three California meets on Saturday. In addition to the Mt. SAC Relays, the Orange and Blue contested events at the Bryan Clay Invite (Azusa) and Beach Invite (Long Beach) this weekend. The Illini set 12 personal-record performances during the three days of competition, including two additions to Illinois' top-10 lists on Friday evening.
"I thought it was a very productive weekend," Head Coach Mike Turk said following Saturday's competition. "I can't remember too many weekends where we put together a total team performance like we did this weekend. Certainly, this has been the highlight of our season thus far with the way we've performed out here. I'm very pleased with the progress we've made with this team."
Kendziera again swept both hurdles events at a meet, doing so for the second time this season. Also winning both events at the UNLV Invite to start the outdoor season, the Illini junior has now won six of the seven hurdles events he's competed in this weekend.
"Dave was a start among a lot of really good athletes," Turk said of the Illini hurdler. "I think he's exactly where he needs to be right now. I think he'll continue to improve as we move through the reset of the season and into the championships season. Dave is a great competitor, so I think he's in a perfect spot right now."
Undefeated in the high hurdles this season, Kendziera won the elite section the race with a time of 13.71, beating Maxmilian Hairston (Altis) by 0.08 seconds. Kendziera has also won the event at UNLV and the Texas Relays.
Less than an hour after winning the 110m hurdles, the Illini junior returned to the track to clock a season-best performance in the 400m hurdles. Kendziera timed 50.17 and edged Isa Phillips (Jamaica) at the finish line for the victory. The time is a 0.18 improvement over his 50.35 time set at Texas Relays two weeks ago.
A pair of Illini set outdoor personal-bests in field events on Saturday. Pole vaulter Jacob LaRocca cleared 16'6.75" (5.05m), while Michael Hyc marked 58'2.5" (17.74m) in the shot put to finish seventh overall.
"I think both of those guys are coming off of really good indoor seasons," said Turk. "And sometimes, when you get outside after a little bit of peaking phase, it can result in them taking a small step back. Some of that can be just the ware and tear of the indoor season. So, I think both of those guys are starting to put their performances back together. I'm really very pleased with the way both of them have handled going from indoors to outdoors."
On Friday at the Bryan Clay Invite, freshman Jon Davis made his first entry into the Illinois record books, as he clocked the second-fastest 5,000m time in Illinois history with a 13:49.55 performance. The time sits behind Craig Virgin's school-record 13:35.02 time in 1975.
Also setting a top-10 performance on Friday evening was Jesse Resier in the 1500m. The Illini sophomore clocked the sixth fastest 1500m run in school history with a time of 3:42.37 at Bryan Clay.
Also setting personal-best performances this weekend was Matsen Dziedzic (hammer/196'1"), Michael Hyc (hammer/1982'7"), Konrad Eiring (800m/1:50.41), Sean Pengelly (10K/29:38.62), Dan Lathrop (5K/14:12.29), Zach Dale (5K/14.25.04), Zack Smith (5K/14:34.67) and Doug Wilson (400m/48.47).
Up next, the Illini return home to host the Illinois Twilight on Saturday, April 22 at the Illinois Track Stadium. The meet will begin at 3 p.m. and will feature face painting and inflatables for kids, as well as Fighting Illini headbands and Papa John's pizza giveaways.
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