Chicago, IL – Illinois Institute of Technology's men's and women's track and field teams opened the 2014 indoor season this past weekend, competing at the "Windy City Rumble" hosted by The University of Chicago.

The Scarlet Hawks had some great opposition against Loyola University, Valparaiso University, University of Illinois-Chicago, Chicago state University, Elmhurst College, Lake Forrest College, Roosevelt University, Robert Morris University, North Park University, Saint Xavier University, Triton College and the host school, University of Chicago.

"I'm very pleased with the performances we turned in this weekend. The hard work is paying off and what's most exciting is the fact that there's room for improvement for the majority of our athletes. It was the first track meet experience for some of them and I'm looking forward to seeing them develop throughout the year" said head coach Calin Hantau.

IIT's women's distance medley relay team, consisting of April Wanagas, Veronica Hannink, Greta Zola, and Anne Crotteau, finished third in the first track event of the day, with a time of 13:54.96.

Joe Yassin and Teva Venet set two school records each in the field events.  Yassin, a freshman from Barrington, IL finished second in the shot put amongst non-Division 1 institutions, with a throw of 12.93m/43-05.25.  Yassin set a school record in the weight throw as well, with a throw that measured 9.30/30-06.25.  Teva Venet had a very successful first showing wearing the Illinois Tech uniform.  The Livermore, CA freshman finished third overall and first among Non-Division 1 competitors in the Men's long jump with a 6.34m/20-09.75 performance, bettering the school record by 9 cm.  Venet returned later in the day and competed in the triple jump, finishing third with a new school record as well, 12.35m/40-06.25.

"It was great to see Joe and Teva compete so well in their first collegiate meet.  I have no doubt that they will get better and continue to rewrite IIT's school record books," added Hantau.

Most of IIT's men and women competed in two or more events over the weekend.  That was the case for Tyler Haag, which, in his third event of the day, the 200m, broke his own school record.  After competing in the 55m Dash and 800m, Haag shaved .27 sec from the previous 200m record and stopped the clock at 24.44 sec.

The Windy City Rumble was scored as a dual meet between Division 1 programs, and non – Division 1 programs.

IIT's final results:                             

                WOMEN                                  
                                                            
                 Concordia (Ill.)   62.00     17.00 Illinois Tech                
                 Elmhurst   66.00     25.00 Illinois Tech                
                 Lake Forest   37.00     24.00 Illinois Tech                
                 Illinois Tech   28.00      0.00 Minnesota State              
                 North Park   60.00     19.00 Illinois Tech                
                 Illinois Tech   26.00     25.00 Northwestern Track Club      
                 Illinois Tech   25.00     10.00 Robert Morris (Ill.)         
                 Roosevelt   23.00     21.00 Illinois Tech                
                 Illinois Tech   28.00      0.00 St. Xavier                   
                 Illinois Tech   28.00     15.00 Triton College               
                 U. of Chicago  111.00     12.00 Illinois Tech  

                 MEN

                 Illinois Tech   65.00     53.00 Concordia (Ill.)             
                 Illinois Tech   64.00     47.00 Elmhurst                     
                 Illinois Tech   76.00     29.00 Lake Forest                  
                 Illinois Tech   69.00     37.00 North Park                   
                 Illinois Tech   67.00     47.00 Northwestern Track Club      
                 Illinois Tech   72.00     22.00 Robert Morris (Ill.)         
                 Illinois Tech   74.00     13.00 Roosevelt                    
                 Illinois Tech   64.00     36.00 St. Xavier                   
                 Illinois Tech   81.00      4.00 Triton College               
                 U. of Chicago   94.00     42.00 Illinois Tech