The Illini competed in the NCAA Indoor Championships this weekend in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Illinois sent a program-record 13 women along with five men to the competition.
Junior Sophia Beckmon headlined the meet for the Illini, winning the long jump for the program’s first national title in the indoor event. Beckmon leaped to an astonishing 6.84 meters.
“Sophia did something that’s never been done in Illinois history before, not only winning the first indoor long jump national title, but it’s the first field event national title indoors in school history,” said Petros Kyprianou, the director of both track and field and cross country.
Beckmon’s teammates also had a few significant performances during the first day of the meet.
Graduate student Phethisang Makhethe finished as the national runner up in the weight throw, with a program-record throw of 24.40 meters. Junior Jordan Koskondy also placed fifth in the event with a throw of 22.65 meters.
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Sophomore JaiCieonna Gero-Holt placed second in the pentathlon with a school record 4,466 points, led by her wins in the high jump (1.84 meters) and shot put (14.12 meters). Kyprianou noted the record-setting performances by Gero-Holt and Makhethe.
“JaiCieonna and Phethisang both being national runners-up in their events with school record marks is exactly what we talk about; bringing your best to the big one and they did that today,” Kyprianou said. “Jordan had a great day in the weight throw as well getting on that podium for us to score some valuable points.”
The women’s team led the meet heading into day two with 30 points, 10 points ahead of second-place Oregon. The men on the other hand, had a fairly quiet day.
Junior Jip de Greef sat in fourth after day one in the heptathlon with 3,411 points, one spot ahead of freshman teammate Luuk Pelkmans in fifth with 3,393 points.
Illinois’ stand out pole vaulter, junior Cody Johnston, leaped to a height of 5.60 meters, and placed ninth in his event.
Making history
After holding the lead on day one, the Illini women fell two spots on day two, finishing third with 42 points. This mark was still quite the achievement for Illinois, as it was the highest finish in program history.
“This is history for Illinois and we would like the world to know,” Kyprianou said. “We’re proud of our athletes, administration and everyone that was behind us. The sky is the limit for this team.”
Day two was highlighted with another strong performance by Gero-Holt, who tied for fourth in the high jump with a leap of 1.85 meters. This placement added 4 points to bring her total up to 12 for the Illini, making her the team leader in points.
The men finished in 26th with 11 points. de Greef and Pelkmans led the way for the squad, finishing third and fourth in the heptathlon respectively.
“Over on the men’s side we’re redshirting some good athletes,” Kyprianou said. “Next year we will have some good high jumpers join and outdoors we have a solid high jumper joining us as well.”
Despite being a first-year athlete, Pelkmans has already made his mark, as he broke the school record in his heptathlon debut with 6,127 points on Jan. 23.
“Luuk is only a freshman; he’s going to be a good decathlete,” Kyprianou said. “Men mature slower than women so I think we will be a consistent top-10 team soon.”
Looking forward
The Illini face a quick turnaround to outdoor season as they prepare to compete in the River City Relays meet this Thursday and Friday in Jacksonville, Florida.
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