Urbana-Champaign, Ill. - The Bulldogs kicked off the first meet of 2024 at the Illini Open inside the Armory Building on Saturday afternoon. The team had seven athletes reach the podium in the respective events during the invitational.

Top performances by the Bulldogs included:

• Jack Elder set a new school record in the men's 60-meter hurdles. His mark of 8.03 breaks his previous record of 8.21 while also earning a second place finish.
• Luke Finnegan dominated the men's 60-meter dash, winning in the finals at 6.87. Troy Larrison claimed the last spot on the podium at 6.97 while Ben Bradley right beside him at 6.98 in fourth. 
• Cabott Craft had a day in the field earning two spots on the podium. The freshman first set a personal record in the men's long jump at 6.92 meters earning third. Craft then topped this performance by securing second in the triple jump at 13.76 meters.
• In the mile, Michael Dunagan posted a time of 4:28.55 in the men's race placing second while Renate Toldo crossed the line in third at 5.09.12 in the women's heat. 
• Liam Dennis placed third in the men's 600 meters at 1:24.61

The Bulldogs will head south next weekend from Jan. 12-13 for the Rod McCravy Memorial in Louisville, Kent.