CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illinois men's and women's track and field teams opened the Illini Invitational with the pentathlon and heptathlon on Friday (January 21) at the UI Armory.

After a long wait due to injury, freshman Kenli Nettles made her collegiate debut on Friday afternoon, winning the women's pentathlon with 3,126 points. Nettles won three of the five events in the pentathlon, including the 60m hurdles with a time of 9.20, the high jump with a mark of 1.62m and the long jump with a jump of 5.13m.  

"It was a big day for Kenli," said head coach Mike Turk. "Not so much for the performances but the fact she was even able to compete is a testament to her determination. I am so happy for her return to competition. She can help us."

Day one also saw the start of the men's heptathlon, with the men competing in the 60m dash, high jump, long jump and shot put, before the event finishes up on Saturday with the 60m hurdles, pole vault and 1000m run.

Junior Alexander Babbington leads the Illini through four events, sitting in third place with 3,004 points, followed by classmates Aiden Ouimet in fourth with 2,940 points and Michael Shafis in fifth with 2,587 points.

"Good first day for the men's heptathletes," said Turk. "They're showing a lot of progress and are ready for the challenge of day two."

The Illini opened the heptathlon with a one-two finish in the 60m dash as Shafis won with a time of 7.15, followed by Babbington with a time of 7.20. Ouimet then took the long jump with a jump of 6.95m, with Babbington finishing in third in the shot put with a throw of 12.36m, before winning the high jump with a mark of 2.04m.

The Illini Invitational continues on Saturday (January 22) with field events starting at 9:30 a.m. CT with the men's pole vault and running events beginning at 12 p.m. CT with the preliminary rounds of the women's 60m dash.

Illinois Event Champions
Women's pentathlon: Kenli Nettles // 3,126 points

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