ROME - Eight-Time All-American and former Illini hurdler David Kendziera finished second in the 400m Hurdles on June 6 at the IAAF Diamond League meeting in Rome, Italy, clocking a season-best finish time of 48.99 that ranks 13th in the World this year. The time is the sixth-fastest fastest clocked by an American this year.
Several current Illini join Kendziera in ranking among the World's best in their events. Illini senior Devin Quinn ranks 13th in the World this year in the 100m Dash after clocking a 10.01 finish time in the NCAA semifinal on June 5 to qualify him for the NCAA final. Quinn's time is the fifth-fastest 100m time by an American this year. The 10.01 finish is the fastest-ever by a Big Ten athlete, breaking the Big Ten and Illini program record finish time of 10.02 set by NCAA Champion Andrew Riley in 2012.
Additionally, Quinn's 200m NCAA semifinal time of 20.31 is tied for 30th in the World rankings in the 200m Dash this year. The time ties for the 11th fastest by an American sprinter in the event. The Wednesday national semifinal time of 20.31 posted by Quinn on Wednesday is also an Illinois program record in the 200m. He re-set the record Wednesday by surpassing the 20.35 finish he clocked to earn a silver medal in the 200m at Big Ten Championships on May 12.
The men's 4x100m relay that earned Second-Team All-America honors on Wednesday at NCAA Outdoor Championships also owns one of the World's best times in the event. The time of 39.01 set by sophomore Jason Shannon, freshman Declan Rustay, and seniors Joe Haight and Devin Quinn ties for the 38th fastest finish in the World this year. It is the 18th fastest 4x100m relay in the United States. The finish-time of 39.01 ranks fourth in Illini program history.
David Kendziera, Devin Quinn, six-time All-American Jonathan Wells (High Jump) and Gia Lewis-Smallwood (Discus) will compete at USATF Outdoor Championships Thursday, July 25 through Sunday, July 28, vying for spots on this year's U.S. World Team. 2019 IAAF World Championships in Athletics will be held in Doha, Qatar, Saturday, September 28 through Sunday, October 6.
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