Monday, January 29, 2007

Playing in the Sand with Illini Track

Both the Illini Men's and Women's teams captured victories over the weekend inside the armory at the Carle/Health Alliance Invite. The teams did it in impressive fashion as well, with both teams beating the second place team (Middle Tenn. Men's and Iowa Women's) by healthy margins in their respective meets.

For the men's team, this was a show for the younger athletes that dominate the roster. Freshmen and Sophomores were responsible for victories in the 600 meter run, the 800 meter run, high jump and pole vault. The teams also registered a victory in the triple jump. the distance medley and the 4x400. This meet was a small one for the Illini, who dominated the competition. However, this isn't a bad thing for a young team still trying to build some confidence. Even though track is composed of individual events, the team morale is important to the confidence of these individual athletes.

On the women's side, the Illini were anchored by performances of upperclassmen, especially Yvonne Mensah. Mensah took first in the 60 meter dash, the 200 meter dash and the long jump. Other Illini took victories in the Pole Vault, the 3,000 meters and swept the mile run. Again, on the women's side, this was a meet they dominated due to sure size of the team over the competition.

The Illini men travel to South Bend next weekend for the Meyo Invitational, while the women will travel to Bloomington first for the Indiana Invitational before heading to South Bend.

Practice Lessons Pave Way for Meet Win (DailyIllini)

Intensity Fuels Track Victory (DailyIllini)

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