Full Results

IOWA CITY, Iowa - Illinois track & field was led by third-place finishes in the women's and men's Pole Vault on the final day of competition at the Larry Wieczorek Invitational at Iowa on Saturday. Senior Carolyn Nye cleared 3.95 meters, which is tied for the fourth-best mark in Illinois program history. On the men's side, redshirt junior Cooper Jazo recorded a mark of 5.15 meters, tying his personal-best. 

"Overall it was a solid weekend for us with a few exceptional performances and a lot of bright spots," said director of track & field/cross country Mike Turk. "We need to continue to improve execution, having more of what we do in training coming out in competition. We handled all the pre-meet and meet day things extremely well, we were very focused. This team has an opportunity to grow a great deal and have a special year. We ended the weekend wanting and believing in more." 

On day one of the meet, junior Amira Aduma captured the first event title of the season for the Illini by placing first in the women's Long Jump. Aduma jumped 6.14 meters, which is tied for the fifth-best indoor jump in program history. 

"Amira was great," Turk said. "It was a tremendous start to the season. It's awesome to have her healthy and back long jumping. Her performance in the long jump set the tone for the weekend." 

Nye would join Aduma in the Illinois record books on Saturday with her mark of 3.95 meters in the Pole Vault, tying as the fourth-best mark in program history in the event. 

"I couldn't be happier for Carolyn Nye," Turk said. "She sets a standard for others to follow. She has put in all the work and has shown tremendous progress in the last year. It will be fun watching her senior year progress."  

Later in the day on Saturday, through performances in the 60m Hurdles Premier Preliminary round, redshirt senior Jonathan Wells (8.11) and sophomore Bret Dannis (8.13) were able to qualify for the final round. Wells would place fifth in the event finals, timing 8.03. Dannis finished seventh with a time of 8.26. 

Wells also placed third in yesterday's Long Jump, jumping 7.49 meters in his Illini return. 

"Of course, we are thrilled to have Jonathan back," Turk said. "He's meant so much to this program and we're so much better with him."

The Illini were represented in the 60m Dash Premier Finals on Saturday by sophomore Declan Rustay. Rustay timed 6.85 to qualify for the finals, a new personal-best. He finished fifth in the event finals with a time of 6.88. 

In the women's Mile Premier, senior Grace Rogers clocked a new PR. Rogers recorded a finish time of 4:58.72 to finish eighth. In the men's Mile, Illinois saw a trio of top-five finishes. Redshirt sophomore Irwin Loud placed third, timing a new PR of 4:14.84. Redshirt freshman Colin Yandel crossed fourth, finishing at 4:23.53. Redshirt senior Zach Dale finished fifth, timing 4:25.99

In the men's 400m Dash, freshman Jason Thormo placed fourth in his collegiate debut. The Fox Lake, Ill. native recorded a finish time of 48.99.

Up next, the Illini return home to host their lone home meet of the 2019-20 season, the Illini Invitational, on Friday, January 24 and Saturday, January 25 at the UI Armory. Competition starts at 9 a.m. on January 25. Fighting Illini track & field will also honor 10 seniors for Senior Day on Saturday at the meet.

Team Scores

Women

1. Minnesota-148
2. Iowa- 94
3. Baylor- 75
4. Arizona- 66.5
5. Purdue- 53
6. Wisconsin- 49.5
7. Illinois- 38
8. Iowa State- 26

Men

1. Iowa- 114.5
2. Minnesota- 93
3. Baylor- 84
4. Purdue- 78
5. Arizona- 70.5
6. Wisconsin- 53.5
7. Iowa State- 37
8. Illinois- 36

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