Chambana Sun

Director of Illinois track, field, and cross country Petros Kyprianou announced the appointment of Olympian Garrett Scantling as an assistant coach. Scantling will focus on coaching jumps and combined events.

"We are excited to add Garrett to our staff," said Kyprianou. "I have known and coached him since 2011. He's been a great advocate to young athletes and he can relate well to them as he's been in their shoes. He is an ultra-positive person that has made an impact on every athlete he has been in contact with. He will add significant world-class and Olympic experience and help our young men and women to achieve greatness."

Scantling expressed his enthusiasm for joining the team, stating, "I'm super excited to be a part of what Petros has built here for the Illini. I can't wait to share my experience and expertise with all the different student-athletes I will get to work with!"

At the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, Scantling placed fourth in the decathlon with a score of 8,611 points. He achieved personal bests in the 400m (48.25) and 1500m (4:35.54). His qualification for the Olympics was secured by winning the U.S. Olympic decathlon trials in Eugene, Ore., scoring 8,647 points.

In 2022, Scantling claimed two national titles: one at the US Indoor Championships in heptathlon with 6,382 points during the indoor season, followed by another at the USA Combined Events Championships in decathlon with 8,867 points.

Scantling's NCAA career included competing for Georgia Bulldogs under Kyprianou's guidance. He was national runner-up in heptathlon at the 2015 NCAA Indoor Championships with a score of 6,068 points and earned bronze medals at both his senior year (2016) and freshman year (2013) NCAA Indoor Championships.

Before joining Illinois, Scantling returned to Georgia as an assistant coach from fall 2019 until 2021 under Kyprianou's mentorship again; later moving back home where he served Episcopal School Jacksonville coaching three sports: football girls' weightlifting alongside track & field while holding position strength-conditioning trainer role within school community too throughout last year's tenure there beforehand making move Champaign now starting new chapter alongside former mentor once more today officially signing onto latest endeavor this summer season ahead eagerly anticipating future success together program moving forward next level altogether exciting times await indeed surely everyone involved looking forward immensely seeing how things unfold coming months years down line stay tuned updates progress achievements alike meantime meantime go Illini!