University of Illinois
Big Ten Indoor Championships
Nwoko Advances, Women's DMR Places Third At Big Ten Indoor Championships
February 22, 2019 | Women's Track & Field
Day 1 Results
Saturday Heat Sheets
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Junior Chisom Nwoko qualified for the women's final in the 400m to lead the Illini Friday on day one of the Big Ten Indoor Championships hosted by the University of Michigan. The Illini would close out the day with a third place finish in the distance medley relay, with the team of sophomore Mikaela Lucki, junior Felicia Phillips, freshman Madison Marasco and sophomore Rebecca Craddock earning the Illini six points.
"Chi is interesting from the standpoint that it's rare for an athlete to double in the 400 and the pole vault," said head coach Mike Turk. "The schedule wasn't kind since she had to warm up for the vault, then run her 400 qualifying, and go right back to her competitive attempts in the pole vault. Chi executed her 400 really well. I was pleased, but felt bad that she had to turn right around and take attempts in the pole vault. Unfortunately, she probably needed a bit more recovery time. She will be ready to go for the 400 final."
Competing in both the pole vault and the 400m this afternoon, Nwoko would qualify for the finals in the 400m with a time of 54.56. She finished first in her heat and fifth among qualifiers.
Earlier in the afternoon, senior Sade' Hargrove set a new PR in the 60m dash with a time of 7.56 to finish 10th.
In the last event of the day, the Illini DMR team of Mikaela Lucki, Felicia Phillips, Madison Marasco and Rebecca Craddock recorded a time of 11:21.85 to place third in the distance medley relay, giving the Illini six points. The finish is the fourth fastest in UI program history.
"The women's DMR was obviously a highlight of the day for us," Turk said. "We got off to a great start with Mikaela Lucki. She just laid everything out there and put us in a great position. Then, Felicia Phillips, with her fastest split ever in her life. Maddie Marasco just really gutted out a tough race, and then Rebecca Craddock was a star, and they got a podium finish. Top-five all-time. Just an outstanding job by coaches Haveman and Fife putting that relay together and having them ready to go."
Competition resumes tomorrow at Big Ten Championships in Ann Arbor at 10 a.m. CT.
Illini Qualifiers and Scorers
400: Chisom Nwoko (54.56)
DMR: Mikaela Lucki, Felicia Phillips, Madison Marasco, Rebecca Craddock (11:21.85)- Third place, Six Points
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