URBANA-CHAMPAIGN – Kortnie Volk placed second in the pentathlon and moved up the program's all-time rankings as Milwaukee's men's and women's track & field teams competed at day one of the Illini Challenge hosted by the University of Illinois.
 
Volk compiled 3396 total points throughout the pentathlon events, earning a top three finish in three of the five events. In the pentathlon, Volk won the long jump with a leap of 5.51m, placed second in the shot put with a throw of 11.03m, and took third in the 800m run with a time of 2:27.33. Volk's total score moved her up to fourth on the all-time list, surpassing former Panther Kory Olson.

The women's distance medley relay team finished in fourth place with a time of 12:06.95. The time gives Eileen Tocco, Leah Handshoe, Anelise Egge, and Cailin Kinas the fourth best time in program history.
 
Golden Cotton placed third in the men's 200m dash with a time of 22.23 seconds. Teammate Dane Nelson finished in fifth with a time of 22.64 seconds. On the women's side of the track, Dominique Thomas finished third with a time of 25.00 seconds.
 
Olivia VanZeeland finished third in the high jump, clearing a height of 1.65m. Anthony Campbell leaped 7.21m in the long jump, finishing fourth. On the women's side of the pit, Anna Szepieniec finished fifth with a distance of 5.78m.
 
Evan Bartelsen tied his PR in the pole vault by clearing 4.86m. The height earned him fourth in the event. Carter Eckhoff, Zac Schmidt, Lucas Picco, and Nate Griepentrog finished in fourth place in the distance medley relay with a time of 10:21.73.
 
The Illini Challenge will continue tomorrow morning with the continuation of the men's heptathlon at 10:30 a.m. Running events begin at 12 p.m. with the 60m prelims, and the shot put opens the field events at 1:05.