The 2012 Illinois track and field programs are poised for the postseason after having one of their best years in recent memory.

On May 11, both the men and women’s track and field teams will begin competition at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships. The men have finished ninth, sixth, and seventh at the meet in the past three years, respectively, but this year is different.

“This is probably the most well-rounded team we’ve had since I’ve been here,” Illinois head coach Mike Turk said. Turk is in his seventh season with the Illini, three of which he has spent as head coach.

The men’s team had a disappointing seventh-place finish at the Big Ten Indoor Championships earlier this year, but the team has seen progression in almost every event over the course of a year. All-American senior Andrew Riley is nearing world-record times, sophomore thrower Davis Fraker is the highest nationally ranked thrower the school has ever had and senior Kyle Engnell is the nation’s fifth-best 3,000 meter steeplechaser.

“Our focus as a staff and as a team is not so narrow,” Turk said. “I think this is a program that has been ready for that new beginning for the last couple of years, and now this (year) is kind of like our new beginning.”

That new beginning coincides with the exit of Riley as the face of Illinois’ program for the past four years. The world-class sprinter’s resume includes two national championships, eight Big Ten titles and nine All-America recognitions. For Riley, however, his time here has been about more than his achievements.

“(My collegiate career has) been a lot of hard work, time management-wise, taking responsibility for your own actions since you’re away from home,” the Kingston, Jamaica, native said. “It’s a lot of maturity, and it’s helped me be a much better person and a stronger guy.”

Riley set the world’s second-fastest time in the 110-meter hurdles two weeks ago and will lead an improved Illini squad into the Big Ten Championships, where it will compete for his highest team finish as an Illini.

“I think we’re capable of getting in the top five,” Turk said. “That’s a nice progression for us. The men’s side of the conference is really deep and there’s a lot of parity. The foundation of young guys here that are producing are pretty good.”

On the women’s side, the team’s progression has been even more impressive. The squad finished seventh at last year’s Big Ten Indoor Championships and fourth at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships. If that progression repeats itself, the Illini would win a conference title after finishing in fourth place at this season’s indoor Big Tens.

“We have this superstition that however we finish indoors, we finish better outdoors, so we’re looking forward to Big Tens,” senior Latoya Griffith said.

This has been one of the most consistent years for the Illini in recent memory, and the team’s bond is receiving credit for that.

“A lack of intangibles and a lack of team chemistry led to (past year’s lack of consistency). A lot of girls on the team now are really a lot more focused and dedicated and motivated,” women’s head coach Tonja Buford-Bailey said. “You have to have that in track, it’s such an individual sport you have to stay motivated week to week to compete well.”

In their first meet after a strong fourth-place performance at the Big Ten Indoor Championships, the Illini only managed 72 team points in the SEC/Big Ten Challenge in Starkville, Miss., where the Big Ten fell, 390-323.

“I think we fell off a little bit after the indoor season because you want to get a little bit of a mental and physical break, but I’m seeing that momentum come back now,” Buford-Bailey said.

The Orange and Blue have 10 days before the outdoor Big Tens begin in Lincoln, Neb., and staying healthy is a key concern for both teams.

“The most important thing is to stay healthy. We can’t do anything crazy,” Turk said. “You have to resist the temptation to put the icing on the cake and sweeten it up a little bit, you have to be careful with final exams coming up. Guys are going to be tired and stressed out, they’re vulnerable, so we’re going to make sure they’re healthy first and foremost.”