Full Results
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The Illinois track and field teams completed their first day of the Hurricane Invitational on Friday (March 15).
Freshman Cody Johnston earned his first pole vault win of the outdoor season clearing the program's fourth-best mark in the process, 5.50m (18-0 1/2). Not only is this mark fourth in the record book, but it currently is the national leading mark for 2024.
The Illini women pole vaulters (junior Tori Thomas and sophomore Mia Morello) claimed the top two spots each vaulting 4.20m (13-9 1/4). Thomas took the win today since she cleared on her first attempt compared to Morello on her final one. However, 4.20m is a new personal best for Morello and it ranks third in the program record book. Additionally, this mark currently leads the nation for 2024.
Junior Phethisang Makhethe made her Illini debut today in the hammer throw. She placed fourth overall on the program's third-furthest mark, 59.41m (194-11), also third in the nation. Her teammate, freshman Jordan Koskondy placed 11th on the program's fourth-furthest mark, 52.62m (172-8).
Freshman Javaris Ambrose joined the hammer throw party by throwing a top-10 program mark in his first appearance too. He tossed a 59.93m (196-7), which ranks seventh in program history, and placed fourth in competition. On the national scale, his throw ranks seventh for the season.
Junior Halle Hill placed fourth in the 3000m and clocked in with the program's fifth-fastest time (9:28.75). A duo of Illini distance men claimed medals in the 3000m run. Senior Jack Roberts took gold with a time of 8:22.12 and sophomore Alex Partlow claimed bronze on a time of 8:25.82.
Senior Tyler Sudduth claimed third in the discus throwing a 54.56m (179-0) on his final attempt. Junior Kelsey Rothas placed eighth in the pole vault, 3.95m (12-11 1/2).
UP NEXT
The Illini track and field teams return to action tomorrow (March 16) for the final day of the Hurricane Invitational with field events starting at 10 a.m. CT and track events at noon CT.
NOTES
Event Winners and Top-10 Program Marks
- Cody Johnston won the pole vault with the program's fourth-best mark, 5.50m (18-0 1/2).
- Tori Thomas won the pole vault clearing on her first attempt, 4.20m (13-9 1/4)
- Mia Morello took second on the program's third-best mark, 4.20m (13-9 1/4), she cleared on her final attempt.
- Kelsey Rothas placed eighth, 3.95m (12-11 1/2).
- Jack Roberts won the 3000m (8:22.12).
- Phethisang Makhethe placed fourth in the hammer throw with the program's third-best throw, 59.41m (194-11).
- Halle Hill placed fourth in the 3000m on the program's fifth-fastest time (9:28.75).
- Javaris Ambrose placed fourth in the hammer throw with the program's seventh-best throw, 59.93m (196-7).
Full Illini Results
- Tyler Sudduth placed third in the discus invite, 54.56m (179-0).
- Aiden Ouimet placed seventh in the discus open, 41.31m (135-6).
