Illinois Women’s Track and Field Opens Second-Consecutive Season Ranked #1 Nationally

USTFCCCA Release // Rankings Breakdown

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) released its first round of weekly national rankings on Tuesday (Jan. 28). The Fighting Illini women debut as the national leaders for the second time ever in program history with last season being the first. The men’s team debuts at No. 8 which is their highest ranking since 1995 when they were No. 4.

The women’s squad has six athletes with top-5 marks in the nation. Two of those marks are national leaders with Tacoria Humphrey in the long jump (6.78m (22-3)) and Lucie Kienast in the pentathlon (4,428*). Sophia Beckmon is directly behind Humphrey in the long jump (6.71m (22-0 1/4)) and Tori Thomas also owns the nation’s No. 2 pole vault (4.57m (15-0)). Rose Yeboah owns the nation’s third-best high jump (1.91m (6-3 1/4)) and Darja Sopova has the nation’s fifth-best long jump (6.51m (21-4 1/4).

The men’s team has five athletes with top-10 marks in the nation, led by Jip de Greef who’s the national leader in the heptathlon (6,070*). Viktor Morozov own’s two top-10 marks in the nation with the national No. 2 triple jump (16.35m (53-7 3/4)) and No. 7 long jump (7.81m (25-7 1/2)). Tyler Sudduth resides at No. 6 in the nation on the shot put list (19.47m (63-10 1/2)) and Cody Johnston sits at No. 10 on the pole vault list (5.52m (18-1 1/4)).

* – Flat track conversion

NATIONAL TOP-16 ATHLETES

WOMEN

#1 Tacoria Humphrey – long jump, 6.78m (22-3)

#1 Lucie Kienast – pentathlon, 4,428*

#2 Sophia Beckmon – 6.71m (22-0 1/4)

#2 Tori Thomas – 4.57m (15-0)

#3 Rose Yeboah – high jump, 1.91m (6-3 1/4)

#5 Darja Sopova – long jump, 6.51m (21-4 1/4)

#7 Phethisang Makhethe – weight throw, 22.28m (73-1 1/4)

#7 Morgan Smalls – long jump, 6.49m (21-3 1/2)

#8 Bara Sajdokova – high jump, 1.84m (6-0 1/2)

#9 Melissa Wullschleger – pentathlon, 3,925*

MEN

#1 Jip de Greef – heptathlon, 6.070*

#2, #7 Viktor Morozov – triple jump, 16.35m (53-7 3/4) // long jump, 7.81m (25-7 1/2)

#6, #15 Tyler Sudduth – shot put, 19.47m (63-10 1/2) // weight throw, 22.15m (72-8)

#10 Cody Johnston – pole vault, 5.52m (18-1 1/4)