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Cody Klein set a new personal record in the pole vault at the Illini Classic with a mark of 17-2 1/4 (5.25m).
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Jan. 21, 2012
Photo Gallery | Illini Classic Results
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - At the Illini Classic on Saturday, the Illinois men's track and field team won 10 event titles on its way to a victory with 257 team points, which topped the other five teams. Senior Andrew Rileywon both of his events to start the season and set the 60m dash school record in the preliminary heat.
"We did a good job today of going out and competing," head coach Mike Turksaid. "I was looking for that bump in performance and competitiveness from last week to this week and I definitely saw that today. The spirit, effort and energy was terrific, especially with all of the personal and school records we set today. If we keep getting better everyday, the times will keep dropping. I'm really pleased with today. It was one of the better meets we've had in a couple years."
In his very first race this season, Riley broke his own school record in the 60m by one hundredth of a second with a time of 6.71 in the prelims. Later in the finals, the senior took the title with a time of 6.72, the previous school record. Riley then recorded his second victory of the day in the 60m hurdles with a time of 7.73 while Cody Wissleadwas second for the Illini with a time of 8.20.
In his season debut, Stanely Azie won the 200m in a time of 21.82 while freshman Brandon Stryganekfinished third for the Illini, crossing the finish line with a time of 21.88.
In the 800m, Ryan Lynn took home the crown with a time of 1:51.34, a new personal-best while freshman Joe McAseyplaced third with a time of 1:53.18 in his Illini debut.
The Illini picked up numerous team points with the distance squad. Senior Jim Riddle led the pack in the 3,000m race, with the Illini finishing first through sixth place. Riddle won the race with a time of 8:26.72 with Colin Mickow (8:27.58) and Phil Pompei (8:27.59) placing second and third, respectively. In the mile, Kyle Engnellplaced first in a time of 4:14.01 with two other Illini finishing in the top four.
The field events had a solid showing as three Illini took first place and set personal-records. For the second straight week, Ryan Michel placed first and set a personal-record in the high jump with a mark of 6-10 ¼ (2.09m) while Cody Klein recorded a person-best 17-2 ¾ (5.25m) in the pole vault and won the event for the second consecutive meet. Klein's vault is the ninth best in the country. Freshman Branden Tanthavongimproved upon his triple jump performance from last week with a leap of 48-5 ½ (14.77m).
For the second consecutive year, junior Steve Montewon the heptathlon with 5,046 after winning the shot put, high jump and pole vault.
In the last event of the contest, the 4x400m relay squad of Cody Wisslead, Lynn, McAsey and DJ Zahngave the crowd at the UI Armory something to cheer about as the team won by a narrow margin in a time of 3:18.64.
Next weekend, the Illini will travel to Lincoln, Neb., on Saturday, Jan. 28 to compete in the Mark Colligan Memorial Invitational. The University of Nebraska hosts the 2012 Big Ten Indoor Championships later this season.
Team Standings
1. Illinois 257
2. Missouri 126
3. Southeast Missouri 73
4. SIU-Edwardsville 61
5. Lincoln (Mo.) 46
6. Tennessee St. 35.50
Illinois First Place Finishers
60m
Andrew Riley, 6.72
Prelims, 6.71*
60m Hurdles
Andrew Riley, 7.73
200m
Stanley Azie, 21.82
Mile
Kyle Engnell, 4:14.01
3,000 Meter
Jim Riddle, 8:26.72
4x400m relay
Cody Wisslead, Ryan Lynn, Joe McAsey, DJ Zahn, 3:18.64
Pole Vault
Cody Klein, 17-3 (5.25m)
High Jump
Ryan Michel, 6-10 ¼ (2.09m)
Triple Jump
Branden Tanthavong, 14.77m
Pentathlon
Steve Monte, 5,046 points
*Illinois school record
