Full Results
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Fighting Illini, hampered by a few early season injuries, split the opening meet of the season, besting Missouri 82-65 and falling to Iowa 81-73. Five event winners led the Illini today, including a performance from Jonathan Wells that came close to breaking a school record.
"I think we did some good things, our intensity and effort was there. We should expect those things," said Coach Turk. "I told the team this week that was paramount, and I think they came through. I think we have some toughness on our team. Of course, the result wasn't where we wanted it, we have to find a way to get some people healthy and that's going to take some time. At the same time, we've got people that can step up and get better."
The Orange and Blue got the day started with a strong performance in the weight throw where Michael Hyc set a new personal-best mark of 17.95m to win the event. Fellow teammate, Matsen Dziedzic followed Hyc with a mark of 17.30m to place second. The duo followed up their morning success with a back-to-back finish in the shot put. Hyc placed runner-up in the shot put with a throw of 16.68m, while Dziedzic finished his day with a heave of 16.48m.
The highlight of the day came in the high jump where sophomore Jonathan Wells showed why he's expected to be one of the top jumpers in the Big Ten this season. Wells won the men's high jump with a leap of 2.16m, besting runner up Kevin Spejecher of Iowa by almost 0.15m. After clearing 2.16m, Wells fell just shy of breaking the school's 2.21m record set by Gail Olson in 1980.
"Jonathan Wells was a big highlight. He had a big day, his high jump was electric and I'm really happy with what he did," said Head Coach Mike Turk.
On the track in the men's 400m, the Fighting Illini's Kenneth Allen (49.47) edged out the event title when he bested Iowa's DeJuan Frye (49.93). Keveion Akins made his collegiate debut in the event, earning a fifth-place finish with a time of 50.90.
Not to be out done, Mo Maat put his mark on the second annual Border Battle by providing consistency across multiple events. He began the day competing in the long jump where he leaped 7.05m (23-13/4) to place second in the event behind Missouri's John Warren. On the track, Maat set the tone with a 60m prelim time of 6.76, posting the best time of either heat. Joining him in the 60m was freshman Devin Quinn (6.87) and Cole Henderson (6.88). In the final, Maat placed second behind 60m dash winner Markesh Woodson (6.68) with a mark of 6.76. Along with Maat was Devin Quinn and Cole Henderson, as they rounded out the top-five with fourth and fifth-place finishes. Maat concluded his day with a second-place showing in the 200m dash, clocking a time of 21.80.
"Mo Maat has really elevated himself, just tremendous in the 60m and the long jump, and ran a good 200m too," said Turk.
In distance events, the Orange and Blue flexed their muscles again after a strong cross-country season, winning the one mile and 3,000m races. Garrett Lee won the one-mile race with a time of 4:13.54, besting Michael Melchert of Iowa by 0.26 seconds. Freshman Jared Christiansen made his Illini debut in the event, finishing fourth with a mark of 4:20.06. In the 3,000m, Alex Gold and All-American Dylan Lafond paced the Illini performance as they finished one-two in the event with Gold crossing the finish line first in 8:23.39. Billy Magnesen rounded out the Illini's top-five finishers with a time of 8:34.28, good for fourth place.
Freshman Ben Barnes opened his collegiate career in both the long jump and the triple jump, posting fourth and fifth-place finishes in the two events, respectively.
David Kendziera and freshman Konrad Eiring made their lone appearances of the day in the 600m run, where they placed fourth and sixth, while Isaiah Michl made his Illini debut in the 60m hurdles.
The Fighting Illini will return to action next Friday night and Saturday when they host the Illini Classic at the UI Armory. On Friday night, the weight throw will commence at 6 p.m. The following day, the meet will continue at 11 a.m. with field events, followed by 3 p.m. track finals.
Event Winners:
Weight Throw: Michael Hyc, 17.95m (58-103/4)
High Jump: Jonathan Wells, 2.16m (7'1")
400m: Kenneth Allen, 49.47
Mile Run: Garrett Lee, 4:13.54
3,000m: Alex Gold, 8:23.39
