University of Illinois
New Mexico Collegiate Classic
Three School Records Fall on Day One of New Mexico Collegiate Classic
February 7, 2025 | Women's Track & Field, Men's Track & Field
Recap
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The Illinois No. 4 women's and No. 9 men's track and field teams completed the first day of the New Mexico Collegiate Classic on Friday (Feb. 7) from the Albuquerque Convention Center. Phethisang Makhethe, Asia Thomas and Rose Yeboah all shattered school records during the first day of competition.
Thomas sprinted a 200m time of 23.21 that shattered Olympian Ashley Spencer's 13-year-old school record (23.24) she originally set back in 2012. Thomas' time also ranks as the 14th-fastest time in the nation currently which would have her qualified to the NCAA Championships if the season ended today. She placed fourth in competition today.
Yeboah improves her own high jump school record by one centimeter to 1.92m (6-3 1/2), breaking it for the second time this season. She now holds sole possession of the third-best jump in the nation, breaking the tie with Elena Kulichenko of Georgia and Rachel Glenn of Arkansas. She placed second in competition today.
Makhethe improved her own school record as well in the weight throw raising it up to 22.52m (73-10 3/4). Her throw now ranks as the seventh-furthest throw in the nation on the season and she placed second in today's competition.
Jackson Gilbert clocked the program's fourth-fastest 200m (20.95) in his second-place finish and Tadeas Placek ran the program's 10th-fastest 800m (1:49.28) in his third-place finish.
UP NEXT
The Orange and Blue track and field crews return to action tomorrow for the Bruce Lehane Scarlet & White Invitational in Boston beginning at 10 a.m. and the final day of the New Mexico Collegiate Classic starting at 11 a.m. CT.
NOTES
Event Winners and Top-10 Program Marks
- Phethisang Makhethe placed second in the weight throw with a school record mark, 22.52m (73-10 3/4).
- Jordan Koskondy placed sixth, 20.62m (67-8).
- Abria Smith placed eighth, 19.72m (64-8 1/2).
- Rose Yeboah placed second in the high jump with a new school record, 1.92m (6-3 1/2).
- Bara Sajdokova placed fourth, 1.83m (6-0).
- Asia Thomas placed fourth in the 200m with a new school record (23.21).
- Jackson Gilbert placed second in the 200m with the program's fourth-fastest time (20.95).
- Dewayne Johnson placed 31st (21.81).
- Tacoria Humphrey won the long jump, 6.77m (22-2 1/2).
- Sophia Beckmon placed fourth, 6.12m (20-1).
- Lucie Kienast placed sixth, 6.10m (20-0 1/4).
- Elizabeth Ndudi placed 10th, 5.98m (19-7 1/2).
- Melissa Wullschleger placed 18th, 5.67m (18-7 1/4).
- Tadeas Placek placed third in the 800m with the program's 10th-fastest time (1:49.28).
Full Illini Results
- Kam Garrett placed second in the high jump, 2.18m (7-1 3/4).
- Tori Thomas placed second in the pole vault, 4.27m (14-0).
- Tyler Sudduth placed fourth in the weight throw, 21.49m (70-6 1/4).
- Javaris Ambrose placed 13th, 18.56m (60-10 3/4).
- Zachary Galvicius placed 10th in the pole vault, 4.79m (15-8 1/2).
- Ji'eem Bullock placed 13th in the long jump, 7.28m (23-10 3/4).
- Rafael Raap placed 17th, 7.13m (23-4 3/4).
- Azariyah Bryant placed 15th in the 200m invitational (23.55).
