The Leatherneck track and field teams competed at the Illini Challenge this past weekend, Jan. 27 - 28, 2023. Highlights included, three top-10 performances, several personal records and an event win from Lucas Hofer.
Hofer got the ball rolling with an event win in the 800 meters on Friday night. His time from this weekend moves him to fourth on the Summit League Conference performance list.
"Lucas Hofer set the tone for our men's team, winning the 800 meter run and he led off our winning 4 x 400 meter relay team. This is Lucas's last year of eligibility. He's been a quiet, consistent leader for us," said coach Trey Brokaw. "If he can race aggressively and confidently, I think he could be one of the best 800 meter runners in the conference and the entire NCAA. Sub-1:49 is a possibility soon."
In the women's mile race Paulina Wuestefeld led the Leathernecks, running the third fastest all-time in school history. Her time of 4:54.16 moves her up to second in the conference rankings.
"Paulina's mile race this weekend was executed perfectly. I'm so happy with where she's at mentally and physically right now. She has put together two great weekend's back-to-back," says coach Brokaw. "In the next few weeks she will race the 5,000 meters and I believe she has an excellent chance to break our school record set by former NCAA Champion, Patty Murray."
Aliyah Adams debuted in the 60 meter hurdles this weekend running the eighth fastest time in school history. Her time of 9.03 seconds was good enough to make the finals where she duplicated her performance, running another 9.03 second race.
"Aliyah Adams had a fantastic weekend highlighted by her debut performance in the 60 meter hurdles. Aliyah is an exceptional student-athlete and that's evident by her running the 8th fastest time in school history. She also had a really consistent series in the long jump," coach Brokaw said. "Coach Rob Tarpley has done a fantastic job coaching her and all the other horizontal jumpers."
In the men's long jump Toriano Tate reached new lengths, jumping 7.17 meters (23 feet 6.25 inches). Tate's jump puts him eighth on the all-time list as well as ranking him second in the conference.
"Toriano is a great talent. He's finally starting to get consistent with his long jump approaches. That consistency on the board led to his big jump this weekend," says coach Brokaw "Even though he's just a freshman, I think Toriano has the potential to be a conference champion in four weeks at the Summit League Championships."
Newcomer Alessandro Belluz soared to a new personal best mark in the high jump, jumping 2.0 meters (6 feet 6.75 inches). His jump currently ranks him sixth in the conference.
