Full Results
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Fighting Illini men's and women's track and field programs completed their home opening meet, the Fighting Illini Challenge, on Saturday, April 8 from Demirjian Park. Sophomore and first year long jumper Tacoria Humphrey shattered her own school record in her long jump win, 6.55m (21-6). This mark is currently fourth in the country.
"First I would like to thank our event management staff in putting together this meet," said Director of Track, Field and Cross Country Petros Kyprianou. "One day track meets are difficult to put together. I felt that the energy was amazing and the stands were packed. From food to entertainment, it all went great. The highlight of the day was Tacoria breaking her own long jump record in her first year in the event.'
'Howell had another tremendous performance for us, she's a big-time competitor. She made the 2:02 look easy, I have never seen a 2:02 look so easy before. Really excited to see what her 1500m will be this year at NCAA's."
Junior Olivia Howell won the 800m dash in her outdoor season debut (2:02.72). She narrowly missed a new school record by .63 second. Her time is currently the second fastest in the country.
"Those two put a stamp on our program and it shows a lot of promise for the future. That momentum helped some others get some personal-best like Kenli in the high jump and Tyler in the discus just to name a couple. The guys in the long jump did well."
Freshman Olivia Campbell continues to ink her name in the women's throws book. She improved her program's second best hammer throw to 55.26m (181-3) and placed fifth. In the discus, she won her debut with a throw of 44.01m (144-04).
Two other top-10 marks came from the women's hammer throw. Freshman Faith Deering placed sixth overall and recorded the program's fifth best mark, 51.20m (167-11). Redshirt freshman Carolina Hintz tossed the school's seventh best mark 48.65m (159-7) and placed ninth.
Junior Tyler Sudduth took third in the men's hammer throw, 57.98m (190-2), which improved his program's eighth best mark. Redshirt senior Brian Keyes placed right behind him in competition and the record book with a 57.87m (189-10) toss.
Sudduth also collected the discus win with the program's third farthest throw, 56.59m (185-08). He won the shot put too with an 18.98m (62-3 1/4) toss.
The Illini claimed all the medals in the women's pole vault. Sophomore Tori Thomas took the gold with a 4.17m (13-8 1/4) vault. Freshman Mia Morello took silver on the school's fifth best vault, 4.06m (13-3 3/4). Junior Kelsey Rothas claimed the bronze with the school's eighth best vault, 3.95m (12-11 1/2).
Junior Michael Shafis won the javelin throw and now holds the school's ninth furthest throw, 61.45m (201-7). The men's 4x400m team of redshirt senior Kashief King, freshman Tadeas Placek, junior Robert Williams and junior Jason Thormo won with a 3:06.87.
In total, a Demirjian Park record of 2,015 fans in attendance today saw 11 new or improved top-10 program marks added to the record books.
"The 4x400m team showed why they are the Big Ten champs with a solid showing today. Overall, it was an amazing day and a great day to be an Illini. It's good to know that the community embraced this new culture change and I can't wait for the next home meet."
UP NEXT
The Illinois track and field teams are back in action next week where they will participate in three separate meets. On Wed.-Sat. April 12-15 some athletes will be at Mount SAC Relays in Walnut, Calif., on Thur.-Sat. April 13-15 other athletes will be at the Bryan Clay Invitational in Azusa, Calif. and finally on Fri.-Sat. April 14-15 the final batch of athletes will compete at the Long Beach Invitational in Long Beach, Calif.
NOTES
Winners/Top-10 school marks (other notable Illini finishes/marks listed under the same event).
- Tacoria Humphrey won the long jump and improved her own school record to 6.55m (21-6).
- Olivia Howell won the 800m and clocked the program's second fastest time (2:02.72).
- Michael Shafis won the javelin with a new PB and program's ninth-best mark, 61.45m (201-7).
- Bret Dannis won the 110mH (13.80).
- Tori Thomas won the pole vault with a 4.17m (13-8 1/4).
- Mia Morello placed second and vaulted the program's fifth best mark (PB), 4.06m (13-3 3/4).
- Kelsey Rothas placed third and vaulted the program's eighth best mark (PB), 3.95m (12-11 1/2).
- Daniel Mboyo won the long jump, 7.39m (24-3).
- Viktor Morozov placed fourth, 6.93m (22-9). Dannis tied Morozov.
- Isaac Rice placed sixth with a new PB, 6.90m (22-7 3/4).
- Alex Babbington won the high jump, 2.05m (6-8 3/4).
- C.J. Shoaf placed second, 2.00m (6-6 3/4).
- Olivia Campbell placed fifth in the hammer throw and improved her program's second best mark to 55.26m (181-3).
- Faith Deering placed sixth with 51.20m (167-11), program's fifth best mark.
- Carolina Hintz placed ninth with a 48.65m (159-7), program's seventh best mark.
- Campbell won the discus in debut, 44.01m (144-04).
- Tyler Sudduth placed third in the hammer throw, 57.98m (190-2), and improved his school's eighth best mark.
- Brian Keyes placed fourth, 57.87m (189-10), and now holds the ninth best school mark.
- Sudduth won the shot put, 18.98m (62-3 1/4).
- Sudduth won the discus and owns the school's third best throw, 56.59m (185-08).
- Anthony Maida won the 3000mSC (9:14.44), new PB.
- Men's 4x400m relay team of: Robert Williams, Jason Thormo, Tadeas Placek and Kashief King won with a 3:06.87.
Notable Illini results
- Colin Yandel finished second in the 1500m with a new PB 3:47.32.
- Kenli Nettles placed second in the high jump with a new PB, 1.75m (5-8 3/4).
- Tadeas Placek placed second in the 800m (1:51.05), new PB.
- Allanah Lee placed second in the triple jump, 12.05m (39-6 1/2).
- Maggie Gamboa placed second in 3000mSC (11:03.78).
- The women's 4x400m 'A' team of: Danni Stoughton, Kionnah Weaver, Azariyah Bryant and Madison Hardamon placed second (3:43.69).
- Danni Stoughton placed third in the 400mH (1:01.01) in debut.
- Weaver placed fifth (1:03.85).
- Hardamon placed third in the 400m dash (56.14) in debut.
- Oliver placed fourth (56.95) in debut.
- Weaver placed fourth in the 100mH with a new PB (13.60).
- Sam Poglitsch placed fourth in the 1500m (4:29.68).
- Stoughton placed fifth in javelin throw debut, 34.40m (112-10).
- Three Illini make debut in 100m dash: Kashief King placed fifth (10.52), Jason Thormo placed seventh (10.53) and Zac Sherman placed 26th (11.07).
- DeVontae Ford (unattached) placed third in the 400mH (51.82)
- Williams placed fourth (52.92).
- Aiden Ouimet threw a new PB in the discus, 41.54m (136-3).
