Chambana Sun

The Illinois men's and women's track and field teams are set to compete in the NCAA Outdoor Championships from June 11-14 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. Thirteen athletes will represent the University of Illinois across nine events.

Three male athletes will participate, each returning for a second consecutive season. Kam Garrett will compete in the high jump, Cody Johnston in the pole vault, and Viktor Morozov in the triple jump. All three have previously qualified for this prestigious event.

On the women's side, ten athletes have advanced to compete across six events. Rose Yeboah, who is the reigning national champion in high jump, aims to defend her title. Mia Morello returns for another attempt in the pole vault competition.

Lucie Kienast and Melissa Wullschleger are notable qualifiers as they become the first Illini heptathletes to reach this stage since Carmel Corbett did so 32 years ago. Abria Smith has also made history by becoming the first Illinois woman shot putter to qualify since Aja Evans' Olympic participation in 2010.

Sophia Beckmon and Tacoria Humphrey will both compete in long jump after breaking a 25-year drought for Illinois women in this event. Beckmon is also part of this year's relay team that qualified again after last year's success.

The schedule begins on Wednesday with Cody Johnston's pole vault event at 6:35 PM CT. The following days will see various competitions involving both men and women athletes from Illinois, culminating on Saturday with several key events including Rose Yeboah's high jump attempt at 7:30 PM CT.

Illinois athletes hold significant national rankings going into these championships. Among them is Rose Yeboah ranked #2 nationally in high jump with a mark of 1.91m (6-3 1/4), while Abria Smith ranks #3 nationally in shot put with an impressive throw of 18.92m (62-1).