Demirjian Park | University of Illinois Fighting Illini
Demirjian Park | University of Illinois Fighting Illini
The men's and women's track and field teams marked senior day at the third-annual Gary Wieneke Memorial on Friday, May 2, at Demirjian Park, recording notable performances. The event saw six athletes achieve seven top-10 program marks.
Sam Poglitsch achieved the day's highest mark for the Fighting Illini with her win in the 3000m steeplechase, clocking the program's third-fastest time at 10:15.62. Asia Thomas sprinted to victory in the 100m dash with the sixth-fastest time in program history (11.38) and later finished second in the 200m with the 10th-fastest time (23.29), making her the only athlete to achieve multiple top-10 program marks during the event.
Halle Hill secured a victory in the 800m with a time of 2:05.83, placing her seventh all-time in the program records. Reece Ihenacho's discus throw reached 55.00m, earning him gold and marking the program's eighth-best throw. Jackson Gilbert's win in the 400m, at 45.92, became the program's eighth-fastest time.
Faith Deering achieved a personal best in the hammer throw with a 59.88m effort, securing fifth place and the program's fifth-best throw. Viktor Morozov's triple jump of 15.94m led him to a win, currently standing as the 13th-best mark in the nation for 2025.
In the high jump, Rose Yeboah and CJ Shoaf both claimed victory, clearing 1.86m and 2.07m, respectively. Abria Smith performed excellently in the shot put, winning with an 18.21m throw. Ji'eem Bullock topped the long jump field with a leap of 7.10m. Sophia Beckmon achieved first place in the long jump with a distance of 6.33m and went on to win the 200m as well.
The men's 800m event saw a sweep by the Illini, with Tadeas Placek leading (1:49.63), followed by Trey Sato (1:50.79) and Nicolas Dovalovsky (1:51.22). Other event winners included Jayon Morrow in the 200m (21.77), Will Merrick in the 1500m (3:41.12), and Tori Thomas in the pole vault (4.23m).
The event celebrated 16 seniors, with Ji'eem Bullock, Evan Cummins, Nicolas Dovalovsky, Kam Garrett, Will Merrick, Stephen Moody, and CJ Shoaf among the men, and Halle Hill, Daniella Hubble, Tacoria Humphrey, Amalia Malecek, Lydia Malecek, Sam Poglitsch, Abria Smith, Darja Sopova, and Tori Thomas among the women. A total of 779 people attended the event.
The Illini track and field teams will take a break next week before heading to Eugene, Oregon, for the Big Ten Outdoor Championships scheduled for May 16-18.
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