The Illinois women’s track and field team proved its worth at the Sun Angel Classic, hosted by Arizona State, with nine top-three finishes in eight events this past weekend, including four first-place finishes.

“We got a lot of things accomplished in the specialty events,” head coach Tonja Buford-Bailey said. “The sprinters were able to focus on just their own events, the distance runners and pole vaulters were able to focus on their events. (Freshman sprinter) Morolake Akinosun, for example, got to focus on the (100-meters) and (200-meters), but not the relays.”

Akinosun continued the success she has been enjoying so far this season, following the second-fastest 100 time in school history, which she recorded last weekend, with a first-place finish in the 100 and second behind Ashley Spencer in the 200.

“I am very happy with my performance this weekend,” Akinosun said. “I performed very well in the 200, and although I wasn’t as fast as before in the 100m, I still had a pretty fast time. I’m happy with where I am so far this season.”

Junior Ahlivia Spencer made a triumphant return from a hamstring injury by recording a victory in the open heat of the 800-meters with a time of 2 minutes, 7.32 seconds.

“That was very exciting (to have her back),” Ashley Spencer said of her sister. “The hamstring injury is really an injury that track athletes say ‘keeps on giving.’ Once you hurt it once, there is always that discomfort that comes along with it, especially with sprinting. Having her come out and really open up with a great time gives her confidence, and the rest of the team knows she’s out here, she’s finally back and ready to go. I know she’ll improve and when it comes to Big Ten, she’ll have another conference championship.”

Ashley Spencer enjoyed some success herself, with victories in the 200- and 400-meter hurdles. Junior Samantha Murphy placed third in the 800 premier heat with a time of 2:05.94. Seniors Marissa Golliday and Kristin Morrison finished second and third in the standings for the long jump and javelin events, respectively.

“I was happy about this meet because we are kind of where we need to be,” Buford-Bailey said. “It’s still early April and we still have yet to be consistently outdoors (for practice), but where we are right now is really good.”