Petros Kyprianou Director of Track & Field and Cross Country | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
Petros Kyprianou Director of Track & Field and Cross Country | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
The Illinois men's and women's field athletes are preparing for the upcoming Drake Relays, scheduled to take place in Des Moines, Iowa, on April 26-27. A select group of nine athletes will represent the University of Illinois at this event.
Among the participants is graduate student Amber Simpson, who recently achieved a program and Big Ten record in the hammer throw with a distance of 70.21 meters (230-4) at the Gary Wieneke Memorial. This mark also ranks as the second-best nationally for the 2024 outdoor season.
Joining Simpson in the hammer throw competition are sophomore Olivia Campbell and freshmen Jordan Koskondy and Javaris Ambrose. Each athlete holds top-10 marks within the program. Campbell's previous school record was surpassed by Simpson's performance, while Koskondy and Ambrose have recorded throws of 55.50 meters (182-1) and 60.15 meters (197-4), respectively.
In women's pole vault, junior Tori Thomas leads with a vault of 4.37 meters (14-4), which ranks seventh nationally. Her teammate, sophomore Mia Morello, follows closely with a vault of 4.20 meters (13-9 1/4).
Freshman Cody Johnston will compete in the men's pole vault on Saturday, boasting a personal best of 5.60 meters (18-4 1/2) set at the Florida Relays. This achievement places him third in the program and sixth nationally for 2024.
The Illinois team has achieved one Big Ten record, four school records, and secured forty-one top-10 program marks during this outdoor season.
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