Illinois Tech Track and Field competed on Friday, April 25th at the Twilight Invitational hosted by Benedictine University. "It was great being part of this meet. Some of the region's best Track programs competed at this meet and really helped our athletes step up and bring out the best in them. Almost every Scarlet Hawk had a personal best performance today" said Head Coach Calin Hantau.

Joseph Yassin, 2nd and Jack Kosar, 5th, started off the day for IIT in the javelin. "The javelin Throw is by far our best event on the men's side. Jack and Joe are making each other better from one meet to the other. Joe improved the school record in his last throw, 50.45m to finish second in a great field and finish ahead of College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin's (CCIW) defending Javelin Champion." Yassin turned back late in the night and competed in the Shot Put. He did not make the final but improved the school record with a 13.40m throw. Yassin now holds all 6 of IIT's throwing records, indoor and outdoor.

Peter Lau had a great day in the 3000m Steeplechase, finishing 3rd in a very close battle. "Glad to see Peter up there in the steeple. It was his first experience with this event and I can see him cutting time as he gains experience over the barriers."

The Scarlet Hawks broke 3 other school records. Tyler Haag improved his own school record in the 200 and stopped the clock at 23.64. Phillip Cano dipped under 1 minute in the 400m Hurdles, with 59.63 and bettered IIT's best mark by almost one second. Samuel Wietliespach continued his fine season and set another school record in the 3000m, going under 9 minutes for first time, 8:58.24. "For Sam this was a great stepping stone, being able to dip under 9 minutes. This sets him up for a great 5000m later in the season" mentioned Hantau.

Our ladies really stepped up today and put themselves in great position towards the end of the season. Anne Crotteau won her 3000m heat with 11:06.88, setting a personal best. "Anne is more of a distance runner, and racing so well in the 3000m tells me that her fitness and mental approach are in the right place. I'm looking forward for the next race where we are going back to her true event, the 5000m" said Assistant Coach Raul Botezan.

"I'm very proud of April Wanagas and Veronica Hannick. Both of them proved to me how competitive they are and I believe both will put themselves in position to set school records in the 800m for Wanagas and 400mH for Hannick", said Hantau.

Dr. Keeler Invite is next on the schedule for IIT track and field. The competition hosted by North Central College is scheduled for the 8th – 9th of May.