Makhethe, Thomas Improve School Records on First Day of Tyson Invitational

Full Results

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The No. 4 women's and No. 12 men's track and field teams completed the first day of the Tyson Invitational on Friday (Feb. 14) from Randal Tyson Track Center. Phethisang Makhethe (weight throw) and Asia Thomas (60m) each improved their own school records after the first day of competition.

Makhethe has broken the weight throw school record three times on the season, she did so today in her win breaking the 23-meter barrier, 23.11m (75-10). Her throw is the third furthest in the nation and second best in the Big Ten. She's one of only three women who have broken 23 meters this season.

Thomas broke her own school record in the 60m tonight clocking a 7.22 time. This is the second-consecutive weekend she's broken it and it's the 13th-fastest time in the nation and fourth fastest in the Big Ten.

Cody Johnston cleared the program's second-best pole vault in his win tonight in the invitational section, 5.61m (18-4 3/4). Viktor Morozov leaped up to second on the program long jump list with his 7.88m (25-10 1/4) mark today.

Jordan Koskondy improved her program's third-best weight throw mark to 21.31m (69-11) while Abira Smith improved her program's fourth-best mark to 20.70m (67-11).

Jackson Gilbert improved his own program's eighth-best 400m to 46.64 in his 12th-place finish in the invitational section.

UP NEXT

The Orange and Blue track and field crews return tomorrow (Feb. 15) to complete the Tyson Invitational with events slated to begin at 10:30 a.m. CT.

NOTES

Event Winners and Top-10 Program Marks

• Phethisang Makhethe won the weight throw with a new school record, 23.11m (75-10).
  • Jordan Koskondy placed third with the program's third-best mark, 21.31m (69-11).
  • Abria Smith placed fifth with the program's fourth-best mark, 20.70m (67-11).
• Asia Thomas set a new school record in the 60m (7.22).
• Cody Johnston won the pole vault with the program's second-best clearance, 5.61m (18-4 3/4).
• Viktor Morozov placed fifth in the long jump with the program's second-best jump, 7.88m (25-10 1/4).
• Jackson Gilbert placed 12th in the 400m invitational with the program's eighth-fastest time (46.64).
• Tacoria Humphrey won the 60m (7.42).
  • Sophia Beckmon placed third (7.43).

Full Illini Results

• Morgan Smalls placed eighth in the long jump invitational, 6.20m (20-4 1/4).
  • Elizabeth Ndudi placed 10th, 5.89m (19-4).
• Ji'eem Bullock placed 13th in the long jump, 7.12m (23-4 1/2).
• Azariyah Bryant placed 15th in the 60m invitational (7.43)
• Dewayne Johnson placed 17th in the 60mH invitational (8.03).
• Llyric Driscoll placed 18th in the 60mH (8.86).
• Javaris Ambrose placed 21st in the weight throw, 17.96m (58-11 1/2).