Great results from a couple of our youngsters in the Under 20 European Championship yesterday. Victor Morozov, upcoming sophomore from Estonia. triple jumped 16.45 meters which is the second longest jump in Illini history and also the top jump in Europe this year for his age group. Elizabeth Ndudi, incoming freshman from Ireland, long jumped 6.56 meters which would be the top mark in Illini history and also the top mark in Irish history for her age group. As great as that jump is it still pales in comparison to a jump earlier this year by incoming freshman Sophia Beckmon from Oregon who jumped 6.8 meters several weeks ago.
Illini Track & Field, Cross Country
From what I've read, Beckmon is a total stud - she was described as the top female HS T&F athlete in the nation last year
More good news in Illini Track and Field! Petros Kyprianou is Whitman's best coaching hire. 12 new top-10 marks from the Illini Open on Saturday, and most of our best athletes either didn't compete or competed in an event that was not their specialty (Petros sandbagging the Big Ten?). The talent he is assembling on campus is incredible - I don't know if he's trying to win a national title or the Olympics. And the coaching staff he's put together is a who's who of coaching legends. This weekend the team is at Vandy, "where that will be our real opener".
GrayGhost77
- Centennial, CO
Love to see it. Is there a real chance of us winning the team NC in the next couple years?
There were a number of his better athletes who either didn't compete, competed unattached or, as you stated, competed in events outside of their specialty event. Part of his success will come from a number of post graduate athletes that he is also training in CU. Those highly accomplished folks can be great mentors for the younger athletes that compete for us.
I believe he and/or Mike Small are the only Illini coaches that can do it. And he has done it before at Georgia. Petros has gone on the record that he doesn't care about winning Big Ten championships. He wants to win national championships. How many Illini coaches have ever come in with that mindset? The talent he is stockpiling is ridiculous. Emphasis on the field events. We will find out more in the next two months.
You don’t think Brad can?
Winning the NCAA basketball tournament is a whole different animal - it's path dependent. Track and field is less of a crap shoot - you show up with your best and play everyone else's best at the same time. And no referees!
GrayGhost77
- Centennial, CO
Yeah I'd amend that to include Brad. I honestly thing if he stays long enough it'll happen sometimes in the next ten years.
It's possible....they had a real shot Ayo's senior year and if TSJ comes back it is a legit possibility this year.
Having said that, I think Petros is at a different level. It's tough for a team outside the South or West Coast to win it, but he could do it. The talent he has stacked in the field events is pretty mind-blowing
Illinois Track & Field and Cross Country
@IlliniTrackXC
Congratulations to #Illini
@torianajo2
and
@AyoKamm31
on being named the Big Ten men's and women's Field Athletes of the Week! Garrett becomes the first since Manning Plater on 1/18/21 Thomas becomes the first since Kandie Bloch-Jones on 1/18/17
@IlliniTrackXC
Congratulations to #Illini
@torianajo2
and
@AyoKamm31
on being named the Big Ten men's and women's Field Athletes of the Week! Garrett becomes the first since Manning Plater on 1/18/21 Thomas becomes the first since Kandie Bloch-Jones on 1/18/17
Does anyone know what is going on with Riley Johnston, the pole vaulter who transferred to us from Indiana? He is shown here competing for Indiana: https://live.pttiming.com/?mid=6004
He is also shown here on our roster (along with his brother Cody): https://fightingillini.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster
While we are at it, what's the deal with Tyler Carrel, a local kid from Urbana who competes for Indiana. His dad coached our pole vaulters for years.
He is also shown here on our roster (along with his brother Cody): https://fightingillini.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster
While we are at it, what's the deal with Tyler Carrel, a local kid from Urbana who competes for Indiana. His dad coached our pole vaulters for years.
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More school records are falling....
Graduate student Amber Simpson broke her own weight throw school record, 21.91m (71-10 3/4), which helped her place fourth. Freshman Sophia Beckmon won her long jump debut (6.49m (21-3 1/2)) and destroyed Yvonne Mensah's school record of 6.29m (20-8). The record was set in 2007 and stood for 17 years.
Two other Illini in the long jump competition shattered the previous school record as well if it was not for Beckmon taking the crown. Freshman Elizabeth Ndudi placed second (6.40m (21-0)) and junior Tacoria Humphrey placed third (6.32m (20-9)), both in competition and the program record book. This trio currently owns the top three marks in the nation for 2024.
Junior Bara Sajdokova won the high jump with the second-best mark in school history at 1.85m (6-0 3/4). This mark currently resides at second in the country.
Freshman Asia Thomas continues to blitz her way into the sprint record books. On Friday, she claimed first in the 200m dash with the third-fastest time in program history (23.45). Sophomore Azariyah Bryant crossed right behind Thomas, clocking in at 23.84.
fightingillini.com
Graduate student Amber Simpson broke her own weight throw school record, 21.91m (71-10 3/4), which helped her place fourth. Freshman Sophia Beckmon won her long jump debut (6.49m (21-3 1/2)) and destroyed Yvonne Mensah's school record of 6.29m (20-8). The record was set in 2007 and stood for 17 years.
Two other Illini in the long jump competition shattered the previous school record as well if it was not for Beckmon taking the crown. Freshman Elizabeth Ndudi placed second (6.40m (21-0)) and junior Tacoria Humphrey placed third (6.32m (20-9)), both in competition and the program record book. This trio currently owns the top three marks in the nation for 2024.
Junior Bara Sajdokova won the high jump with the second-best mark in school history at 1.85m (6-0 3/4). This mark currently resides at second in the country.
Freshman Asia Thomas continues to blitz her way into the sprint record books. On Friday, she claimed first in the 200m dash with the third-fastest time in program history (23.45). Sophomore Azariyah Bryant crossed right behind Thomas, clocking in at 23.84.
Beckmon, Simpson Break School Records on First Day of Commodore Challenge - University of Illinois Athletics
The Illini set 12 new top-10 program marks on the first day of the Commodore Challenge.
fightingillini.com
And another one...
The Illinois men's and women's track and field teams completed the final day of the Commodore Challenge on Saturday, Jan. 13. Junior Darja Sopova knocked down the 21-year-old triple jump school record in her event win, 13.56m (44-6) a mark that currently sits at first in the country. Nicole Whitman previously held the school record with a mark of 13.46m (44-2) set back in 2003.
Junior Halle Hill won the mile run and clocked a new personal-best (4:46.95). Freshman Asia Thomas earned the 60m dash crown on the women's side, she clocked in at 7.32. Sophomore Azariyah Bryant earned silver with a time of 7.40.
Senior Aiden Ouimet qualified for the men's 60m hurdles finals with a new personal-best (8.06), he placed fifth in the finals (8.21). Freshman Michail Rose crossed second in the 60m hurdles finals on personal-best time (8.15). Junior Anthony Maida clocked a personal-best 3000m in his second-place finish (8:21.51).
fightingillini.com
The Illinois men's and women's track and field teams completed the final day of the Commodore Challenge on Saturday, Jan. 13. Junior Darja Sopova knocked down the 21-year-old triple jump school record in her event win, 13.56m (44-6) a mark that currently sits at first in the country. Nicole Whitman previously held the school record with a mark of 13.46m (44-2) set back in 2003.
Junior Halle Hill won the mile run and clocked a new personal-best (4:46.95). Freshman Asia Thomas earned the 60m dash crown on the women's side, she clocked in at 7.32. Sophomore Azariyah Bryant earned silver with a time of 7.40.
Senior Aiden Ouimet qualified for the men's 60m hurdles finals with a new personal-best (8.06), he placed fifth in the finals (8.21). Freshman Michail Rose crossed second in the 60m hurdles finals on personal-best time (8.15). Junior Anthony Maida clocked a personal-best 3000m in his second-place finish (8:21.51).
Sopova Breaks 21-Year-Old Triple Jump School Record - University of Illinois Athletics
Sopova dethrones record that stood since 2003.
fightingillini.com
Wow!! Absolutely amazing!
Petros is recruiting on a level like we've haven't seen since Bill Self or Craig Tiley. We're getting the top talent around the globe. Only thing we have to do now is KEEP PETROS HERE.
chiefini
- Rockford, Illinois
Heard Petros speak last year, and he said he came here because he believed Whitman would help him win another National Championship (like he did at Georgia). I don’t think Petros leaves until he accomplishes that goal.
I haven't been on campus in many years. Are students still allowed to cut thru the Armory on their way to classes? Or is it closed to the public and only available to the track team?
Illinicpa14
- Chicago
Do they have any emphasis in distance events or is the plan all into Field/Sprints (which rightfully so if your maximizing scholarships to points)?
Was a big XC guy in high school so curious if that’s worth following. had an oppty to be a PWO at Illinois but didn’t want to give that commitment compared to a typical college experience. They didn’t seem to have much momentum ever on that side of the program despite typically some really strong runners and teams with York elevating all the strong men’s teams.
His focus is on the field events and multi-events.
To give perspective to her performance, her Heptathlon score of 5552 as a high school sophomore would have placed her second in last year's B10 outdoor meet: https://live.pttiming.com/?mid=5645
So what are the chances the expanded B1G will move it's outdoor track and field championships to Eugene?
That would be amazing, and I would make a special trip for that. My dad's family is from that area, so saw Prefontaine, Shorter and Wottle in a race there in the early 70's. I love watching the Olympic trials and US championships at Eugene - it's an atmosphere that doesn't seem to exist anywhere else in the US
Have you seen the new Hayward field, it's amazing? I use it as my avatar. As for Pre, Shorter and Wottle at Hayward in the early 70s, I'm pretty sure the two of us were at Hayward at the same time. And I did know Steve on a very casual basis, played pool with him a few times at a place called The Branding Iron, nothing more than that.