Helen Lehman-Winters Head Cross Country Coach | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
Helen Lehman-Winters Head Cross Country Coach | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
The Fighting Illini track and field teams are gearing up for their first meet of February at the Meyo Invitational, scheduled for February 2-3 in South Bend, Indiana. The men's team is ranked 11th nationally, while the women's team holds the fifth spot.
Aiden Ouimet, a senior athlete specializing in combined events, recently broke the school's heptathlon record by accumulating 5,985 points. His performance included setting personal bests in four events: the 60m dash (6.97 seconds), long jump (7.44 meters), high jump (2.02 meters), and 1000m run (2:42.44). Currently, his score ranks first nationwide with a converted total of 6,010 points for the 200m flat track.
Freshman Rose Yeboah made headlines by surpassing a longstanding school record in the high jump last week with a clearance of 1.88 meters. This achievement places her fifth nationally and second among freshmen in this event. Additionally, sophomore Mia Morello achieved a new personal best in pole vaulting at a height of 4.27 meters.
Senior Jack Roberts is set to make his debut for the indoor season at this weekend's meet. He will compete in both the 3000m and 5000m races after leading the men's cross country team throughout their season as an NCAA Cross Country Championships qualifier.
Several Illini athletes are ranked within the national top ten for various events:
For women:
- Darja Sopova ranks third in triple jump with a distance of 13.56 meters.
- Tori Thomas is third in pole vaulting at 4.42 meters.
- Sophia Beckmon holds fifth place in long jump with a leap of 6.49 meters.
- Jessica McDowell is also fifth but in the 400m race clocking at 52.57 seconds.
- Rose Yeboah is fifth in high jump at her record-breaking height.
- Bara Sajdokova ranks seventh with her high jump clearance of 1.87 meters.
- Tacoria Humphrey is eighth and Elizabeth Ndudi ninth in long jump with distances of 6.42 meters and 6.40 meters respectively.
- Amber Simpson ranks ninth in weight throw reaching a distance of 21.91 meters.
For men:
- Tyler Sudduth leads weight throw rankings with a throw measuring 23.14 meters.
- Aiden Ouimet holds first place for his heptathlon score.
- Kam Garrett stands ninth in high jump clearing a height of 2.18 meters.
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