Chambana Sun

The Illinois men's track and field team participated in the NCAA West Preliminaries at E.B. Cushing Stadium, Texas A&M. Pole vaulter Cody Johnston secured his place in the NCAA Outdoor Championships by clearing a height of 5.42 meters (17-9 1/4) on his third attempt.

Johnston's performance required precision as he opted out of attempting 5.02 meters (16-5 1/2) and successfully cleared subsequent heights on his final attempts: 5.17 meters (16-11 1/2), 5.32 meters (17-5 1/2), and finally, the qualifying height of 5.42 meters.

"With those six fouls he absolutely needed to clear 5.42m to place inside the qualifying top 12 or else he would've placed 13th and missed based on the tie breaker of least fouls," stated an observer. This achievement marks Johnston's second consecutive qualification for the NCAA Outdoor Championships, adding to his accolades as a two-time All-American after finishing fifth last year outdoors and eighth indoors earlier this season.

In other events, Will Merrick finished in the 24th position in the 1500m with a time of 3:51.39, Javaris Ambrose took the 41st spot in hammer throw with a distance of 58.37 meters (191-6), Jackson Gilbert placed 46th in the 400m clocking at 47.88 seconds, and Tadeas Placek ended up in the 47th position for the 800m with a time of 1:57.10.

The women's track and field team is set to begin their competition tomorrow with field events starting at morning hours followed by track events later in the evening.