“The Big Ten Outdoor Championships is what we work toward all season, and to have the event at home gives us the opportunity to do something special.” Head Coach Wayne Angel was quick to note when the Big 10 Outdoor Championships were to happen in Illinois in 2008. The idea was to break the looming curse that had held them back since 1994. But as fate would have it, their patience was to be tested further. Cut to May 16, 2025, Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, at the University of Illinois once again– they have done it!
31 years– that’s how long it had been since Illinois won its last Big 10 title in Pole Vault. Before this, we had the then 19-year-old Daren McDonough, who took charge to set a state record by clearing 17 feet, ½ inch in 1994. For him, this mark had stood for 18 years before Logan Pflibsen of Streator High School broke it.
As for this week, the pole vault pit gleamed better than ever at the University of Illinois– a chance to break free of the jinx. So when Cody Johnston started his run with the pole in his hands, donning the classic blue and white Illinois’ outfit, he had one and only one goal in his mind. At the plant, he drives the pole into the box and simultaneously pushes off the ground with his take-off leg.
Sprinting down the runway, Cody Johnston, with the pole in his hand, plants it and soars. Clearing the bar with ease, he landed with a smile that said it all — he had done it. The man cleared 5.64 meters– his personal best. Cherry on the cake? A new meet record. He surpassed the previous mark of 5.57 meters, set by Minnesota’s Jak Urlacher in 2024.
3⃣1⃣ years
For the first time since 1994, @IlliniTrackXC takes home the @bigten men’s pole vault title thanks to Cody Johnston clearing a meet record.
: Brynn Kleinke pic.twitter.com/qVxTz79NnW
— DyeStat (@DyeStat) May 17, 2025
What followed were the cheers of Illinois’ natives! As the first Illinois freshman all-American pole vaulter, he cleared 5.52 meters at the NCAA Outdoor Championships and set a program record by clearing 5.60 meters at the Florida Relays. With this, he has also earned multiple Big Ten Men’s Outdoor Field Athlete of the Week honors. Back in high school days, he was undefeated in state competitions, also winning national titles at Nike Indoor Nationals, Adidas Track Nationals, and New Balance Nationals Outdoor, and was named the 2022-2023 Gatorade Indiana Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year.
As for the one whose legacy was carried, McDonough, there would be nothing but pride in his heart for Cody Johnston for doing something he did 31 years ago. As he remains settled in his arborist job, we can only assume his reaction for now. But what about other events? Did the Hawkeyes take the right shots? Have there been more records broken?
Illinois’ trophy case loads up
At the 2025 Big Ten Indoor Championships, the University of Illinois showcased a series of remarkable performances, particularly from its women’s team. Leading the charge was Tacoria Humphrey, who clinched the long jump title with a leap of 6.94 meters (22-9¼). This jump not only secured her the gold medal but also shattered the Big Ten program and Big Ten Indoor Championships records, marking the third-farthest indoor long jump in NCAA history. Guess whose record she broke? Before Humphrey’s ascent, the collegiate indoor long jump record was held by Tara Davis-Woodhall of Texas, who jumped 6.93 meters (22 feet 9 inches) in 2021.
On the men’s side, in the shot put, Tyler Sudduth achieved a personal best of 19.73 meters (64-8¾), earning him a silver medal and ranking him eighth nationally. Viktor Morozov added to the medal tally with a bronze in the triple jump, marking 15.81 meters (51-10½). The men’s 4×400-meter relay team, comprising Jackson Gilbert, Tadeas Placek, Jayon Morrow, and Alex Ornelas, finished fourth with a time of 3:09.56.
Notable performances included Halle Hill securing bronze in the women’s 3000 meters with a time of 9:11.59, and Abria Smith setting a school record in the women’s shot put with a throw of 17.87 meters (58-7½), placing fourth. These achievements contributed to the Illinois women’s team finishing second overall with 82 points, marking one of their best performances in recent years, while the men’s team concluded the championship in 10th place with 29.5 points. A successful day for the Illinois team? What are your thoughts?
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