MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The Illinois men's and women's track and field teams competed in day two of the 2022 Big Ten Outdoor Championships on Saturday (May 14) at the University of Minnesota Track and Field Stadium, with multiple podium finishes and event final qualifiers.
Freshman Kenli Nettles wrapped up her strong outing in the heptathlon, finishing fourth - and posting the sixth-best point total in program history - with 5,216 points after posting personal bests in the 100m, shot put and high jump on Friday and adding solid performances in the long jump (5.40m), javelin throw (30.67) and a personal-best in the 800m (2:21.46) on Saturday.
Junior Aiden Ouimet also secured points in the championships with a seventh-place finish in the decathlon with 7,153 points, posting a time of 15.22 in the 110m and a time of 4:51.13 in the 1500m, while also registering marks of 33.61m in the discus, 4.70m in the pole vault and 50.37 in the javelin throw.
Joining the duo on the podium was senior Emma Milburn, who finished seventh in the 3000m steeplechase with a time of 10:26.85.
In the women's 400m, junior Jessica McDowell finished fourth in the preliminary round to qualify for Sunday's final, crossing the finish line at 53.35 for the Illini. Senior Bret Dannis also qualified for event finals in the 110m hurdles, placing ninth with a time of 14.09.
Illinois Scoring Athletes
Friday
Women's Pole Vault: Tori Thomas // 4.23m // 3rd place // 6 points
Saturday
Men's Decathlon: Aiden Ouimet // 7,153 // 7th place / 2 points
Women's Heptathlon: Kenli Nettles // 5,216 // 4th place // 5 points
Women's 3000m Steeplechase: Emma Milburn // 10:26.85 // 7th place // 2 points
Advancing to the Finals
Men's 400m Hurdles: DeVontae Ford // 51.93
Women's 1500m: Olivia Howell // 4:30.46
Women's 1500m: Halle Hill // 4:23.38
Men's 1500m: Jon Davis // 3:44.22
Women's 400m: Jessica McDowell // 53.35
Men's 110m Hurdles: Bret Dannis // 14.09
Up Next
The Illini wrap up the action on Sunday (May 15) in the final day of the 2022 Big Ten Outdoor Championships. Sunday's events begin with the women's triple jump at 11 a.m. CT.
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