Humphrey Obliterates School and Demirjian Track Long Jump Record at Second Annual Gary Wieneke Memorial

CHAMPAIGN, IL (CHAMBANA TODAY) – Junior Tacoria Humphrey obliterated the program and Demirjian Track record for the women’s long jump when she leapt 6.73m (22-1). She recorded this mark, which currently leads the nation, at the second annual Gary Wieneke Memorial on Saturday (April 13).

“Today was an amazing day for a lot of our athletes,” said director of track, field and cross country Petros Kyprianou. “Perfect weather conditions and a big crowed helped us put up some amazing performances that should get us going when the post season comes around. I’m proud of the hard work out of everyone from coaches, athletes and facilities in making this meet memorable to many.”

Her teammates, freshman Elizabeth Ndudi and junior Darja Sopova, did not disappoint, either, as they all were exchanging program-record jumps. Ndudi registered the country’s and program’s second-best mark at 6.68m (21-11), which is now the Irish national record.

Sopova claimed bronze in the long jump with the program’s third-best mark at 6.64m (21-9 1/2); this mark is currently fourth in the country for 2024. She later went on to capture gold in the triple jump with the program’s and nation’s second-best mark, 13.37m (43-10 1/2).

Graduate student Amber Simpson destroyed the hammer throw school record in her Illini outdoor debut, tossing 70.21m (230-4), which also currently ranks second in the nation.

Senior Tyler Sudduth walked away the event champion in the shot put after he tossed the program’s new second-best mark, 19.85m (65-1 1/2). This is a new personal-best for him and the current fourth-best throw in the country for 2024.

The 4x100m relay team of freshmen Asia Thomas and Sophia Beckmon, Humphrey and sophomore Azariyah Bryant won with the program’s second-fastest time and new Demirjian Track record (43.84).

Junior Jessica McDowell was crowned the event champion in the 200m with the program’s third-fastest time (22.95). Beckmon trailed right behind her, finishing second and clocking the program’s fifth-fastest time (23.13).

Junior Tori Thomas increased the program’s second-best pole vault by one centimeter to 4.37m (14-4) to claim gold. Junior Phethisang Makhethe tossed the program’s fourth-best hammer throw in her fourth-place finish of 59.44m (195-0).

Junior Halle Hill clocked in with the program’s ninth-fastest 800m in her event win (2:06.45). Junior Nicolas Dovalovsky won the men’s 800m with a time of 1:50.95.

Freshman Avril Andre won the 5000m and shaved roughly one second off her program’s sixth-best time (16:36.52).

Freshman Cody Johnston cleared 5.55m (18-2 1/2) to take first place in the pole vault. Fellow freshman Jackson Gilbert captured the 400m dash crown with a new personal-best time (47.11).

Junior Sam Poglitsch earned the 3000-meter steeplechase crown with a near-personal-best mark (10:33.17). Her teammate, junior Amalia Malecek, placed second with a personal-best time (11:00.26).

Graduate student Taylor Beard topped the high jump podium after clearing 1.75m (5-8 3/4) on her second attempt. She attempted a new personal best at 1.80m (5-10 3/4), but it was not in the cards for her today.

Over on the men’s high jump, junior Kam Garrett cleared 2.11m (6-11) on his second attempt to take the event win. Junior CJ Shoaf improved his program’s 10th-best mark to 2.11m (6-11), which he cleared on his third attempt to take third place.

Sudduth finished out the meet with a third-place finish in the hammer throw with the program’s sixth-best mark, 60.90m (199-9). Freshman Javaris Ambrose placed seventh with the program’s eighth-best toss, 60.15m (197-4). Senior Robert Williams won the men’s 400 meter hurdle crown clocking in at 51 seconds flat.

The Fighting Illini track and field squads return to action on April 17-20 for the Mt. SAC Relays in Walnut, Calif.

Event Winners and Top-10 Program Marks

• Tacoria Humphrey won the long jump with a school, Big Ten and Demirjian Track record, 6.73m (22-1).
  • Elizabeth Ndudi placed second with the program’s second-best mark, 6.68m (21-11).
  • Darja Sopova placed third with the program’s third-best mark, 6.64m (21-9 1/2).
• Amber Simpson placed second in the hammer throw with a school record, 70.21m (230-4).
  • Phethisang Makhethe placed fourth with the program’s fourth-best throw, 59.44m (195-0).
• Tori Thomas won the pole vault with the program’s second-best mark, 4.37m (14-04).
• Tyler Sudduth won the shot put with the program’s second-best mark, 19.85m (65-1 1/2).
  • Will Rezny placed third, 18.18m (59-7 3/4).
  • Daniel Lucas placed seventh in the shot put with a new PB, 16.91m (55-5 3/4).
  • Alex Sohn placed eighth, 16.37m (53-8 1/2).
  • Javaris Ambrose placed ninth, 15.93m (52-3 1/4).
• The 4x100m relay team of Asia Thomas, Sophia Beckmon, Tacoria Humphrey and Azariyah Bryant won with the program’s second-fastest time and new Demirjian Track record (43.84).
• Darja Sopova won the triple jump with the program’s second-best mark, 13.37m (43-10 1/2).
• Jessica McDowell won the 200m with the program’s third-fastest time (22.95).
  • Sophia Beckmon placed second with the program’s fifth-fastest time (23.13).
  • Asia Thomas placed fourth (23.83).
• Avril Andre won the 5000m with the program’s sixth-fastest time (16:36.52).
• Halle Hill won the 800m with the program’s ninth-fastest time (2:06.45).
• Sam Poglitsch won the 3000mS (10:33.17).
  • Amalia Malecek placed second with a new PB (11:00.26).
• Taylor Beard won the women’s high jump, 1.75m (5-8 3/4).
• Kam Garrett won the men’s high jump, 2.11m (6-11).
  • CJ Shoaf placed third with the program’s tenth-best mark, 2.11m (6-11).
  • Jackson Marseille placed fourth, 2.06m (6-9).
  • Alex Babbington placed 11th, 1.96m (6-5).
• Will Merrick won the 1500m with a new PB (3:46.75).
• Jackson Gilbert won the 400m with a new PB (47.11).
  • Tadeas Placek placed third (47.52).
• The men’s 4x400m relay team of Jackson Gilbert, Robert Williams, Aiden Ouimet and Tadeas Placek won (3:10.71).
• Cody Johnston won the pole vault, 5.55m (18-2 1/2).
• Robert Williams won the 400mH (51.00).
  • Alex Ornelas placed 12th (57.54).
• Nicolas Dovalovsky won the 800m (1:50.95).
• Tyler Sudduth placed third in the hammer throw with the program’s sixth-best mark, 60.90m (199-9).
  • Javaris Ambrose placed seventh with the program’s eighth-best mark, 60.15m (197-4).

Full Illini Results

• Jessica McDowell placed second in the 100m (11.57).
• Eleftherios Kontonikola placed second in the javelin, 62.82m (206-1).
• Kelsey Rothas placed second in the pole vault, 3.92m (12-10 1/4).
  • Mia Morello placed third, 3.92m (12-10 1/4).
  • Zoe Lamb placed eighth, 3.62m (11-10 1/2).
• Tyler Cushing placed second in the 5000m (14:39.05).
  • Alex Partlow placed sixth (15:00.03).
• Kyle Clark placed fourth in the 1500m (3:47.95).
  • Brady Masters placed fifth with a new PB (3:48.89).
  • Jack Roberts placed eight with a new PB (3:52.27).
  • Jake Myers placed tenth (3:52.57).
  • Nicolas Dovalovsky placed 15th (3:56.84).
  • Will O’Brien placed 21st (4:00.77).
• Tyler Sudduth placed fifth in the discus, 52.16m (171-1).
  • Daniel Lucas placed 12th, 46.03m (151-0).
• Jackson Gilbert placed fifth in the 200m (21.56).
• Audrey Ginsberg placed fifth in the 1500m (4:37.26).
• Olivia Campbell placed sixth in the hammer throw, 56.65m (185-10).
  • Jordan Koskondy placed tenth, 51.78m (169-10).
• Brady Masters placed sixth in the 800m (1:56.15).
  • Will O’Brien placed eighth (1:56.36).
• Madison Hardamon placed ninth in the 400m (56.86).
• Mabry Bruhn placed 11th in th 5000m (17:59.86).
  • Breena Shreeves placed 12th (18:00.86).
  • Isabella Daley placed 22nd (18:54.41).