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Tracksters Day, Tillmon place at Penn Relays

April 24, 2014
Logan Tillmon. Photo by Jorge Salgado.

Logan Tillmon. Photo by Jorge Salgado.

The Northern Illinois University track and field team opened its week in a big way Wednesday, as Claudette Day (Belleville, Ill./Belleville West) and Logan Tillmon (Rockford, Ill./East) finished second and third, respectively, in the heptathlon.

Day finished just behind Penn’s Noel Jancewicz in the final standings with a school-record 4,829 points, while Tillmon set a new personal record with 4,465 to claim the bronze.

“(Day) really wanted to achieve 5,000 and she was on pace going into the last event,” said NIU assistant coach Vince Bingham. “It was really windy today and yesterday was beautiful. She fought the wind and for her to PR and get the school record was pretty amazing.”

“Logan was unbelievable. She struggled in the high jump, so if she jumps 5-01.00 or 5-03.00 (then) she’s right behind Claudette. We’re really looking for big things from both these kids in another month at the MAC (Championships). They could really do some damage.”

Entering the second half of the heptathlon just 14 points out of first place, Day moved back into the lead by claiming first in the long jump at 18-02.50 (5.55m). Tillmon leaped 16-07.25 (5.06m) to earn a sixth-place finish.

In the javelin, Tillmon finished in second place with a toss of 99-09 (30.40m). Meanwhile, Day maintained her lead heading into the final event with a personal record throw of 95-09 (29.20m).

However, Day’s edge slipped away in the 800 meters, as her time of 2:39.61 and fourth-place finish was not enough to hold of Jancewicz. Tillmon finished just behind her teammate in fifth at 2:39.68.

The competition jumps into high gear today at Penn as NIU will be represented in the 400 hurdles, 4×100 relay, long jump, shot put and discus. Meanwhile, action opens in Hillsdale, Mich., at the Gina Relays with the heptathlon and the 5000 meters.

For more information on NIU track and field and Huskie athletics, visit www.niuhuskies.com.