CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The Illinois track and field teams completed their first meet of the outdoor season, the Hurricane Invitational, on Saturday (March 16).
Junior Jackson Marseille leapt the program’s fourth-best high jump today at 2.14m (7-0 1/4) which earned him third in today’s competition. Graduate student Taylor Beard was the runner up in the women’s high jump, recording the program’s eighth-best mark, 1.77m (5-9 3/4).
Freshman Eleftherios Kontonikola made his Illini debut in the javelin, throwing the program’s fourth-furthest mark, 66.63m (218-7). This was his first throw in a year and a half since he had shoulder surgery last season, he took sixth in competition today.
It was a sweep for the Illini on top of the men’s and women’s 1500m run podium. Junior Halle Hill claimed the women’s title clocking in at 4:21.04 and junior Nicolas Dovalovsky claimed the men’s (3:48.68). Senior Will Merrick earned the 2000 meter steeplechase gold with a sub-six minute time (5:50.62).
Freshman Jackson Gilbert earned bronze in the 400m dash with a new personal-best time (47.25). Sophomore Azariyah Bryant tied her personal-best time in the 100m (11.51) she placed fifth overall. Sophomore Tadeas Placek cut his personal-best 200m time to 21.96 and senior Robert Williams placed second in the 400m hurdles (51.12).
The men’s 4x400m relay team of Gilbert, Placek, freshman Alex Ornelas and Williams closed out the meet with a fifth-place finish (3:14.68).
UP NEXT
The Illini track and field teams finally get a week off next week and return to action the following week March 29-30 for the Florida Relays.
NOTES
Event Winners and Top-10 Program Marks
- Halle Hill won the 1500m (4:21.04).
- Will Merrick won the 2000m steeplechase (5:50.62).
- Jackson Marseille placed third in the high jump with the program’s fourth-best mark, 2.14m (7-0 1/4).
- Eleftherios Kontonikola placed sixth in the javelin with the program’s fourth-best throw, 66.63m (218-7).
- Taylor Beard placed second in the high jump with the program’s eighth-best mark, 1.77m (5-9 3/4).
Full Illini Results
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