Illinois Women’s Track and Field Ranked No. 1 Nationally for First Time Ever

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 Monday, Jan. 22. The Fighting Illini women debut as the national leaders, and the men close out the top-10 rankings at No. 10.

This is the first time in program history that either the Fighting Illini men or women have reached the No. 1 spot during the indoor season. The men’s ranking at No. 10 is their highest in nearly 30 years, when they were No. 4 in 1995.

The women are led by two national No. 2 marks by juniors Darja Sopova in the triple jump (13.56m (44-6)) and Tori Thomas in the pole vault (4.42m (14-6)). The men are led by senior Tyler Sudduth, who owns the top mark in the country in the weight throw (23.14m (75-11)) and No. 9 in shot put (18.77m (61-7)).

NATIONAL TOP-10 ATHLETES

WOMEN

#2 Darja Sopova – triple jump, 13.56m (44-6), school record

#2 Tori Thomas – pole vault, 4.42m (14-6)

#4 Sophia Beckmon – long jump, 6.49m (21-3 1/2), school record

#5 Jessica McDowell – 400m (52.57)

#6 Bara Sajdokova – high jump, 1.87m (6-1 1/2)

#7 Tacoria Humphrey – long jump, 6.42m (21-0 3/4)

#8 Elizabeth Ndudi – long jump, 6.40m (21-0)

#8 Amber Simpson – weight throw, 21.91m (71-10 3/4), school record

#9 Asia Thomas – 200m (23.45)

MEN

#1, #9 Tyler Sudduth – weight throw, 23.14m (75-11) school record, shot put, 18.77m (61-7)

#9 Kam Garrett – high jump, 2.18m (7-1 3/4)