J.C. Lambert Assistant Coach - Throws | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
J.C. Lambert Assistant Coach - Throws | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
The Illinois track and field teams are making history with a record 15 athletes qualifying for the NCAA Indoor Championships, scheduled for March 14-15. The contingent includes 11 women and four men competing across 16 events. This marks the highest number of individual women qualifiers in the school's history, while the men's representation is the largest since 2015.
"Petros Kyprianou continues to improve the program each year as he shattered his own program record for qualifiers he set last season," states a release from Illinois athletics. Under Kyprianou's leadership, Illinois has seen significant progress in its track and field program.
Among the women, Sophia Beckmon qualified in long jump with a leap of 6.71m, securing a No. 4 seed after setting this mark at the Fighting Illini Open on January 11. Tacoria Humphrey achieved an impressive feat by breaking multiple records with her long jump of 6.94m, earning her a No. 2 seed.
Lucie Kienast qualified in pentathlon with a score of 4,405 points (adjusted to 4,428), which she achieved during her first collegiate pentathlon event on January 24 at the Fighting Illini Challenge.
In weight throw events, Jordan Koskondy and Phethisang Makhethe secured their spots with throws of 22.28m and a program-record throw of 23.11m respectively.
Bara Sajdokova and Rose Yeboah will compete in high jump events, having cleared heights that earned them notable seeds at No.13 and No.5 respectively.
Morgan Smalls made her debut jumping into contention with a leap that ranks fourth-best in school history while Abria Smith impressed in shot put improving her own record.
Tori Thomas vaulted to success by setting new records in pole vaulting during the Fighting Illini Challenge.
On the men's side, Jip de Greef qualified for heptathlon scoring significantly high points while Viktor Morozov stands out as dual qualifier both in long jump and triple jump.
Cody Johnston cleared heights ranking second best historically for Illinois while Tyler Sudduth also showcased talent qualifying through shot put performances reaching remarkable distances within Big Ten competitions recently held last weekend prior to nationals commencing soon thereafter.
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