SACRAMENTO, CA – Illinois track and field hurdler David Kendziera advanced to the semifinal round of the 400m hurdles at U.S. Track and Field Championships at Hornet Stadium on Friday evening. Finishing fourth in his heat, Kendziera earned one of the four at-large bids to Saturday afternoon's semifinal round at 3:55 p.m. central time.

"Dave is running amongst the best in the world and he proved he belongs here," said Head Coach Mike Turk. "He needs to run a little better to make the final, but he is fully capable."

In lane five of heat two in the 24-athlete field, Kendziera clocked 50.06 to finish fourth in his heat. With the top three in heat advancing, the Illini hurdler waited to see if his time would earn one of the four at-large bids to advance. After the remaining two heats, Kendziera's time stood as the second fastest among non-automatic qualifiers, advancing him to Saturday's semifinals.

Saturday's semifinal of the men's 400m hurdles will begin at 3:55 p.m. central time and will be streamed online through NBC Sports Gold. The event final is scheduled for Sunday at 3:56 p.m. on the NBC Sports Network.

Also representing the Orange and Blue in Sacramento on Friday night was high jumper Kandie Bloch-Jones. The graduating senior was unable to clear the opening height of 5'10.75" (1.80m). A native of Argenta, Illinois, Bloch-Jones leaves Illinois as a three-time All-American and ranks second on the program's all-time high jump performance list.

On Thursday, former Illini Gia Lewis-Smallwood won her fourth United States discus title in five years with a 205'6" (62.65m) mark on her fifth attempt Thursday evening. A 2001 All-American in the event and Big Ten champion, Lewis-Smallwood will compete at World Championships in London in August. In 2012, the former Illini thrower competed in London at the 2012 Summer Olympics.

For more information on entries, schedules, tickets and qualifying standards, click here. For a complete listing of NBC's television coverage, click here.

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Illinois Schedule of Events:

Thursday, June 22

1. Gia Lewis-Smallwood, discus, 205'6" (62.65m) – Advances to

Friday, June 23

14.David Kendziera, 400m hurdles, 50.06q

-- Kandie Bloch-Jones, high jump, NH

Saturday, June 24

3:55 p.m. CT – Men's 400m hurdles Semifinal

Sunday, June 25

3:56 p.m. CT – Men's 400m hurdles Final