Both Illinois men’s and women’s track and field squads are getting ready to host their second and final home meet of the season beginning this Friday and ending on Saturday.

After strong performances at the Bryan Clay Invitational and the Mt. SAC Relays last week, the Illini look to continue to perform at a high level after both squads were able to gain ground in the Midwest NCAA track and field rankings.

Expect sophomore Tyler Sudduth to have himself a big day on Saturday in the throwing events, as Sudduth has continued to dominate the competition throughout since the outdoor season began. Sudduth is not expected to compete on Friday, however, Sudduth is expected to compete in both shot put and discus throw on Saturday.

After breaking his school record for the triathalon, junior Aiden Oimet is set to compete in the long jump and the 4×400-meter relay.

Junior Danni Stoughton, who is coming off impressive performances at the Bryan Clay invitational, will be competing in the long jump and the 400-meter hurdles. Stoughton broke her personal record for the heptathlon. She came in second place in the 800-meter run and landed eleventh in the long jump.

2023 mile champion Olivia Howell is not expected to compete on Saturday, however, she will be the anchor for the 4×400-meter relay for the Illini.

For the 1500-meter run, it will be coach Sarah Haveman’s veterans who will take on the first heat of the meet, as senior Colin Yandel and juniors Will O’Brein, Tyler Cushing and Jack Roberts are set to run the event, alongside sophomores William Merrick and Nicolas Dovalowski. 

Juniors Will and Ben Giblin will lead the 5000-meter run, with sophomore Evan Cummins and freshman Alex Partlow joining them.

Junior Kashief King will be the lone competitor for the 200-meter dash as he looks to continue a strong outdoor season.

Twnety-one seniors will be honored for senior night at Demerijian Park on Friday at 2:45 p.m. The ceremony will be accompanied by an onstage performance by Tom Grass Band from 1-5 p.m. 

Programs that will be competing at Demirijian Park this weekend include: Bradley, Depaul, the University of Illinois at Chicago, Illinois State, Indiana State, Southern Illinois, Loyola Chicago, Milwaukee and Saint Louis.

Illinois’ men’s team is currently ranked No. 9 in the Midwest divisional rankings, the highest among all programs competing in Champaign this weekend. Southern Illinois is currently the closest divisional rival to Illinois in the rankings, sitting at No. 15.

The Illinois women’s team is also currently ranked No. 9 in the Midwest divisional rankings. However, there will be a much closer opponent in Illinois State who is just one spot behind at No. 10. 

With the season winding down, both Illinois men’s and women’s track and field squads will be looking to continue strong outdoor seasons and move up the regional rankings this Friday and Saturday at Demirijian Park from 1-5 p.m. both days.

@snono2

[email protected]