University of Illinois
Larry Wieczorek Invitational
Jon Davis Runs Second-Career Sub-Four Minute Mile At Larry Wieczorek Invitational
January 19, 2019 | Men's Track & Field
Illini place fifth at meet with three premier event titles.
IOWA CITY, Iowa - Fighting Illini sophomore Jon Davis ran the second sub-four minute mile of his career on Saturday at the Larry Wieczorek Invitational hosted by the University of Iowa. Davis won the race with a time of 3:58.06, eclipsing both his own personal best (3:58.46, Illini Classic, Jan. 27, 2018), and the Hawkeye Indoor Track facility record (4:02.34, Ken Popejoy, Michigan State, 1972). The finish time is currently the fastest mile time in the NCAA. The Illini men placed fifth at the meet, with seniors Devin Quinn (60m Premier, 200m Premier), Dan Lathrop (3000m) and Konrad Eiring (1000m) also winning events.
"What an outstanding meet," said head coach Mike Turk. "Great venue, tremendous competition, and we responded with some incredible performances, considering its just the start of the season."
Davis became the 498th American to run a sub-four minute mile after accomplishing the feat with a time of 3:58.46 at the Illini Classic held at the UI Armory on January 27, 2018. As of September 5, 2018, just 522 Americans had accomplished a mile time under four minutes since 1957. His performance led Coach Turk to dub him the athlete of the meet.
"An outstanding honor for Jon," Turk said. "He got everyone's attention with that performance. He ran smart, under control and he was dominant. I am so happy for him to be back at this point in his career after prolonged time off.
Senior Devin Quinn followed up on his stellar debut at last week's Illini Open with two more event titles in Iowa this weekend. He won his season debut in the 200m on Friday night, setting a new meet record with a 21.05 finish time. He then turned in another first-place performance Saturday night, winning the 60m dash for the second consecutive week with a time of 6.65, which ties the personal best Quinn set just last week at the Illini Open.
"Devin quietly went about his business and performed at a very high level in both the 60 and 200," Turk said. "He's worked so hard on and off the track to go to another level. His senior year is off to a roaring start."
On Friday night, senior Dan Lathrop set a new personal-best in the 3000m race with a time of 8:23.45 which won him the event. In Saturday night's Premeir 3000m race, seniors Jesse Reiser and Billy Magnesen scored points placing sixth and seventh, respectively. Reiser finished with a time of 8:11.28, and Magnesn recorded a new personal-best finish of 8:13.95.
Senior Konrad Eiring notched his first event title of the season Friday evening, as he recorded a time of 2:26.10 to win the 1000m race.
In field events, three Illini set new PR's in the pole vault on Friday evening. Junior Cooper Jazo led the Illini with a new personal-best mark of 5.15m to place fourth. Redshirt junior Jacob LaRocca finished fifth recording a new season-high mark of 5.05m. Sophomore Curtis Gordon and freshman Jackson Pompe also set new PR's, with Gordon posting a mark of 4.90m and Pompe recording a new collegiate PR of 4.60m. In the triple jump, sophomore Thomas Saggau set a new PR with a jump of 14.52 meters.
"We were competitive with well-established teams, and we are getting contributions and seeing improvements all across the board," Turk said.
Up next, the Illini return home for the Illini Invitational on Saturday, January 26 at the UI Armory. Field events will begin at 9 a.m. CT and the final running events will start at 3 p.m. CT.
Event Winners:
60m Dash Premier- Devin Quinn- 6.65
200m Premier- Devin Quinn- 21.05
1-Mile Premier- Jon Davis- 3:58.06
800m- Dan Lathrop- 8:23.45
1000m- Konrad Eiring- 2:26.10
Team Standings:
1. Iowa-89
2. Missouri- 79
3. Minnesota- 72
4. Iowa State- 69
5.ILLINOIS – 64
6. Baylor-61
7. Arizona- 58
8. Purdue- 46
8. Wisconsin- 46
