Chambana Sun

The Illinois men's and women's track and field teams participated in the Big Ten Indoor Championships on Friday, February 23, 2024. The event took place in Geneva, Ohio. Senior Tyler Sudduth emerged as a Big Ten Champion in the weight throw with a mark of 22.77 meters (74-8 1/2), becoming the first Illini to win this title since Manning Plater in 2021.

The women's team is currently ranked third with 30 points, while the men's team stands sixth with 17.5 points. In the women's long jump competition, all four Illini participants scored points for their team. Freshman Elizabeth Ndudi won a silver medal with a leap of 6.31 meters (20-8 1/2), earning eight points for her performance.

Junior Tori Thomas led three Illinois women who scored in the pole vault event by finishing third and scoring six points. The Orange and Blue women sprinters had successful qualifying rounds, notably junior Jessica McDowell's second-fastest program time of 52.10 seconds in the 400m preliminaries.

Senior Aiden Ouimet excelled in his heptathlon events, leading after achieving three personal bests and two event wins with a total of 3,403 points.

Freshman Cody Johnston tied for fourth place in the men's pole vault clearing a height of 5.13 meters (16-10), contributing four and a half points to his team's score.

The championship will continue tomorrow with events starting at different times throughout the day as Illinois seeks to improve its standings.