RESULTS
IOWA CITY, Iowa – The Illinois track and field team had great success in the two-day Hawkeye Big Ten Invitational this weekend. Illini athletes won three events, set numerous personal records, and inserted themselves into the Illinois record book in multiple events. Graduate-transfer Manning Plater won the weight throw for the third time this season, sophomore Olivia Howell took first in the mile and the women's distance medley team won the event for the squad. There were no team scores kept for the Hawkeye Big Ten Invitational.
"We are making great progress during this indoor season," Director of Track and Field Mike Turk had to say following the action. "We have great energy, focus and aggressiveness. Rebecca Craddock's performance in the 3k was a great example. She was decisive from the start, showed great determination in extending herself beyond her comfort zone then relied on the body of work she has put in for a long time to finish with a huge new personal best. Tyler Sudduth in the shot put was another example. He struggled last week and fouled out and this week, against the best competition he's ever faced, he steps up with a new personal best and a high place. A great performance."
Plater entered Saturday as the Big Ten leader and the sixth best male in the weight throw in the NCAA. He added to an impressive track record as an Illini, winning his third event champ in his third meet with his new team. His throw of 70-10.5 today lists as his third best on the year but was more than enough to take home the victory in Iowa City.
"Manning is performing at a high level and is showing great command of the event," Turk commented. "Saturday was not his best day or performance yet it was dominating. He is in a great place for the championship portion of the indoor season and I am even more excited for the outdoor season when we see what he can do in the hammer after a year off. It's going be great!"
Howell continued her dominant 2021 indoor season winning the mile with a time of 4:40.85. This time set a new personal record for the sophomore, eclipsing her previous mark of 4:44.34 set at last year's Big Ten Championships. Her win today also places her into the first spot in the conference in the event. Additionally, her time moves her from eighth place to third place in Illinois school history, only .17 of a second behind Angela Bizzarri and Melissa Straza, set in 2010 and 1988 respectively. Howell has won three events this year for the Illini.
"Olivia is an impressive competitor," Coach Turk added. "She has that switch inside that she can flip on and go to another level. I believe she closed out her last 200 meters in 31 seconds. That is an elite ability and she has the heart to execute her moves decisively."
The Illini women's distance medley relay team of senior Mikaela Lucki, sophomore Danni Stoughton, sophomore Tracy Towns and Howell also took home the victory in Iowa. Their time of 11:23.93 shattered the facility record at the Iowa Indoor Track Building by nearly ten seconds. Today was the first time the team had participated in this event this season in competition.
"The distance medley team had a solid performance. I have no doubt we can run much faster in a more competitive race," Turk said. "With the development of our women's cross country and distance program, this is an event we expect to continue to improve and flourish in not only this year but in the future."
The Illinois record book also saw an edit under the pole vault section as redshirt-junior Alyssa Morello and grad athlete Carolyn Nye each cleared 12-9.5. This moves the duo into a tie for sixth place in school history in the event.
Senior Rebecca Craddock added to her successful 2021 year with a second place finish in the 3000 m. Her time of 9:24.95 is her personal record and the third fastest time in the event in school history.
Illinois also saw a noteworthy performance from redshirt-sophomore Jessica McDowell in the 400 m dash. Her time of 54.58 was good for third place at the meet, a personal record, and eighth place in school history in the event.
The Illini have a week off to prepare prior to the Big Ten Indoor Championships on February 26-27 in Geneva, Ohio at the SPIRE Institute.
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