AUSTIN, TX. – Three Fighting Illini women's track and field athletes concluded their Illinois careers on Friday at NCAA West Prelims, wrapping up the 2017 season for the Illini. Competing at Mike A. Myers Stadium, Kandie Bloch-Jones (high jump), Pedrya Seymour (100m hurdles) and Valerie Bobart (3,000m steeplechase) were unable to advance to NCAA Finals in Eugene, Oregon next month.
Bloch-Jones cleared three bars in the high jump competition Friday afternoon, finishing with a height of 5'8.5" (1.74m). The Illini senior opened by clearing 5'4.5" (1.64m) on her first attempt, and then advanced past 5'6.5" (1.69m) and 5'8.5" (1.74m) on her second attempts. In what ended up being the determining height for advancement, Bloch-Jones was unable to clear 5'10.5" (1.79m).
One of the most successful high jumpers in Illinois history, Bloch-Jones leaves Illinois as a three-time All-American, the 2014 Big Ten Indoor title and a three-time Big Ten runner-up. This past indoor season, Bloch-Jones cleared 6'0.75" (1.85m), the second-best mark in Illinois history.
"She's competed for every Big Ten title she's been entered in and has been to six NCAA Championships, been an All-American and a Big Ten champion," Head Coach Ron Garner said of the high jumper. "She's consistently jumped a very high level, just shy of the [Illinois] school record. Just an outstanding career, and I hope she continues to jump post collegiately because there's still a lot of promise there."
Pedrya Seymour's Illini career came to a close on Friday as she scratched due to a tight hamstring that had kept her out of Big Ten Championships two weeks ago. One of the better track and field stories last year, Seymour moved to the 100m hurdles for the first time in her career and advanced to the NCAA Final before going on to represent the Bahamas in the Olympics where she placed sixth. Setting the Bahamian national record multiple times in 2016, Seymour continues to hold the title after a 12.64 performance in the Olympic semifinal.
"The changes that she made with Coach Gillon to develop her into a short hurdler, converting from the 400m hurdles, is an unparalleled story," Coach Garner said of Seymour. "To go from being new to the event to the Olympic final is a spotlight she put on our university and program that can never be repaid to her. It's been an incredible two years of seeing her grow, and she's got a bright future."
Valerie Bobart wrapped up her Illinois career with her second appearance at NCAA West Prelims where she timed 11:46.64. Bobart qualified for the meet with a personal-best 10:27.30 time at the Bryan Clay Invite back on April 13.
"Valerie has been a consistent contributor to our program over the last four years," said Garner. "I'm proud of the growth we've seen from her, qualifying for NCAA Prelims each of the last two years and being a leader on our cross country team."
Also competing this weekend in Austin, Nicole Choquette timed 2:10.23 in the 800m and Jayla Stewart clocked 13.51 in the 100m hurdles, but neither was able to advance.
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Illinois Individual Results (Full Results)
High Jump:
T-21. Kandie Bloch-Jones, 5'8.5" (1.74m)
800m:
31. Nicole Choquette, 2:10.23
100m Hurdles:
25. Jayla Stewart, 13.51
-Pedrya Seymour, DNS
3,000m Steeplechase
42. Valerie Bobart, 11:46.64
