Illinois men’s and women’s track and field competed at the Larry Wieczorek Invitational in Iowa City, Iowa, this past week to kick off their 2020 indoor seasons. Both programs started the season with strong performances in field events. Junior Amira Aduma finished first in the women’s long jump, while senior Carolyn Nye and men’s redshirt junior Cooper Jazo picked up third-place finishes in women’s and men’s pole vault.

Aduma’s 6.14-meter long-jump both gave her the program’s first event title of the season and also a place in the history books, as she tied the fifth-best indoor jump in Illini history.

Nye, who competed in the pole vault in seven meets during the 2019 outdoor season and was a member of last year’s NCAA Championship qualifying 4×100-meter relay, tied Illinois’ fourth-best mark in pole vault, clearing 3.95 meters on the final day of competition. Illinois junior Kristin Slaughter and sophomore Alyssa Morello also cleared, placing eighth and 10th, respectively.

In the men’s pole vault, Jazo was the only Illini to place, clearing 5.15-meter and tying his personal best in the event. Last year, Jazo placed eighth in the Big Ten indoor championships, only to be redshirted for outdoor competition. 

Redshirt senior Jonathan Wells also picked up a third-place finish in the men’s long jump with 7.49 meters.

The Illini will host their only home meet of the 2019-20 season on Friday and Saturday at the University of Illinois Armory. Saturday’s competition will also serve as both programs’ senior day.

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