Beckmon, Simpson Break School Records on First Day of Commodore Challenge

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Illinois men’s and women’s track and field teams completed the first day of the Commodore Challenge on Friday, Jan. 12.

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.  

Junior Kam Garrett won the high jump and cleared his personal-best again at 2.18m (7-1 3/4). Juniors Jackson Marseille and CJ Shoaf both cleared 2.12m (6-11 1/2) to etch their names in at sixth on the Illinois high jump leaderboard. It was Marseille who bested Shoaf for second place since he cleared the mark on his first attempt; Shoaf did so on his third attempt to claim third place.

Junior Sam Poglitsch crossed first in the 1000m, and she did so with the program’s third-fastest time (2:49.28). Sophomore Tadeas Placek clocked the program’s ninth-fastest 600m dash (1:17.87) in his second-place finish. Senior Tyler Sudduth placed second in the weight throw competition (21.97m (72-1)), and freshman Javaris Ambrose threw the eighth-best mark in program history, 19.20m (63-0). He placed sixth.

NOTES

Event Winners and Top-10 Program Marks

• Sophia Beckmon won the long jump with a new school record, 6.49m (21-3 1/2).

  • Elizabeth Ndudi was second with the program’s second-best mark, 6.40m (21-0).
  • Tacoria Humphrey was third with the program’s third-best mark, 6.32m (20-9).

    • Above marks are…