Full Results

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illinois women's track & field took first place in seven events on Saturday at the 2020 Illini Invitational at the UI Armory. Senior Carolyn Nye started the day by winning the women's Pole Vault title, and her winning mark of 4.02 meters gives her the fourth best indoor mark in Illini program history. Sophomore Amira Aduma won the 60m Dash, Long Jump and was on the event-winning 4x400m relay. 

"I was really pleased with our effort and performance today," said director of track & field/cross country Mike Turk. "We challenged the team to bring a higher level of energy, try to amp things up from what we did last week. I think they did an outstanding job of that. I really like our team. We've got a pretty young squad, but they can do some things. They've got a chance to be a really special group. I love the way they're interacting and working together. It's starting to show out on the track with the performances, and the kind of atmosphere that we have in our competitions is really outstanding." 

This is the second consecutive week Nye has PR'd in the Pole Vault. Last week in the season opener at the Larry Wieczorek Invitational at Iowa, Nye cleared 3.95 meters to tie for the fourth best indoor mark in program history. With today's event-winning mark of 4.02 meters, she is now alone at fourth on the Illinois all-time list in the event. 

"Today the thing that happened right early in the pole vault was kids were clearing bars early," Turk said. "It was Jess Streepy, Noelle Jones and Nicole Cho clearing bars, and that really brought a lot of energy. I think that really played a role in helping Carolyn through the meet and through that competition."  

Sophomore Amira Aduma won two individual event titles on Saturday to bring her season total to three. She started the day by winning the women's Long Jump for the second time this year, jumping 5.68 meters to take first at today's Illini Invitational. Aduma then went on to win the 60m Dash on the track, timing 7.52 for the event title. 

Chisom Nwoko was victorious in the 400m Dash. Nwoko timed 54.81, the fastest time in the five-section field by over four seconds. Earlier in the day, Nwoko also placed second in the women's Pole Vault with a mark of 3.77 meters.

In the 600m, freshman Tracy Towns secured her first collegiate event title. Towns clocked a finish of 1:34.72 to take first-place. 

Freshman Oliva Howell also won her first track event title on Saturday. Howell was the event champion in the 800m race, recording a finish time of 2:10.83. 

The Illini would finish the day by taking first place in the 4x400m Relay. The Illini relay of Aduma, senior Felicia Phillips, Towns and Nwoko clocked a finish time of 3:51.37 to win the event title. 

Illinois track & field and cross country honored 10 seniors on Saturday for Senior Day. On the women's side, Vanessa Flaherty, Brenda Kendziera, Carolyn Nye, Felicia Phillips and Grace Rogers were recognized for their contributions to the program. 

"I hate Senior Day because I always get emotional," Turk said. "I love these kids and the things they've done in the program each and every one of them. Not all of them are All-Americans or Academic All-Americans but they're all great people who have worked really hard and given their all to the program. They're people who are going to go on and be successful and represent the University and be leaders in society. I'm so proud of them and so blessed to have an opportunity to work with these people. We're going to miss them, there's no question about it. They can't be replaced. It's a great group." 

The Illini travel to Big Ten foe Indiana for the Indiana Relays. The two-day meet will take place on Friday, January 31, and Saturday, February 1. 

Illinois Event Champions

Pole Vault: Carolyn Nye, 4.02 meters
Long Jump: Amira Aduma, 5.68 meters
60m Dash: Amira Aduma, 7.52
400m Dash: Chisom Nwoko, 54.81
600m: Tracy Towns, 1:34.72
800m: Olivia Howell, 2:10.83
4x400m: Amira Aduma, Felicia Phillips, Tracy Towns, Chisom Nwoko, 3:51.37

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