Sangamon Sun

The Illinois College men's track and field team launched the outdoor segment of the 2024-25 season by splitting its athletes between two events: the Redbird Challenge at Illinois State and the Millikin Alumni Invite.

At the Redbird Challenge, Dylan Doss enjoyed notable success, claiming victories in both the 100 meters (10.52 seconds) and the 200 meters (21.07 seconds), alongside a fifth-place finish in the long jump, achieving 6.66 meters. Adam Hernandez triumphed in the 400 meters with a time of 56.96 seconds. Austin Robinson secured fourth place in the same event clocking in at 1:03.31. Additionally, Hernandez earned fifth place in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 15.61 seconds.

Melvin Hodge placed fifth in the hammer throw with a distance of 52.38 meters. In the 5,000 meters, Robby Biesenthal achieved seventh place, completing the distance in 16:21.31, while Devin Boggs came in tenth at 16:38.07. The Blueboys' 4 x 100 relay team, comprised of Jaden Saunders, Carter Wasson, Ki'on Carson, and Blake Larson, secured third place with a time of 43.62 seconds.

Meanwhile, at the Millikin Alumni Invite, Deon Rodgers was victorious in the discus, throwing 43.46 meters. Kyle Russell took fourth place in the same event with 39.57 meters. Saul Hernandez claimed second place in the shot put with 14.27 meters, followed closely by Rodgers in third at 13.33 meters, and Hodge in fifth at 12.66 meters. Mark Flores earned third place in the javelin with a throw of 42.36 meters, and Griffin Martin achieved third in the hammer throw, reaching 41.87 meters.

Looking ahead, Illinois College is set to host the True Blue Invite on Friday at England Stadium. The schedule lists field events commencing at 1:00 p.m., followed by running events starting at 4:00 p.m.