University of Minnesota Athletics
Todea-Kay Willis Wins Meyo Long Jump Title
2/5/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
Todea-Kay Willis captured the title in the long jump to highlight the first day of performances for the Minnesota women’s track & field team at Notre Dame’s Meyo Invitational in South Bend, Ind., on Friday.
Willis, the defending Big Ten outdoor champion, sailed past the 20 foot mark for the first time in her career at an indoor meet. She landed a leap of 20 feet, 1 inch on her first attempt; a distance that ranks second in Gopher history. Adrienne Thomas added a career-best effort as well, jumping a distance of 19-9 to place fourth and move up to No. 5 on the Gophers’ top-10 list in the event.
The Gophers competed in the distance medley relay for the first time in 2011 and placed second in a Big Ten dominated field of teams. Minnesota’s foursome of Elizabeth Yetzer, Alena Brooks, Katie Hill and Nikki Swenson ran a time of 11 minutes, 12.34 seconds to place second with the fourth-fastest DMR time in Gopher history.
The Meyo Invitational runs some race distances seldom seen during the season, the 1,000 meters being one of them. Redshirt Missa Varpness placed second in the event with a time of 2:49.90.
Senior Natalie Devine enjoyed one of her best outings in the high jump. Devine cleared a height of 5-8 1/4, an effort just one centimeter off her career high.
Sprinters Nyoka Giles and Chimerem Okoroji advanced to Saturday’s final in the 60-meter dash. Both Gophers recorded times of 7.64 seconds in the preliminary round.
The Meyo Invitational resumes on Saturday at 10 a.m.
Watch more Videos on Flotrack
Willis, the defending Big Ten outdoor champion, sailed past the 20 foot mark for the first time in her career at an indoor meet. She landed a leap of 20 feet, 1 inch on her first attempt; a distance that ranks second in Gopher history. Adrienne Thomas added a career-best effort as well, jumping a distance of 19-9 to place fourth and move up to No. 5 on the Gophers’ top-10 list in the event.
The Gophers competed in the distance medley relay for the first time in 2011 and placed second in a Big Ten dominated field of teams. Minnesota’s foursome of Elizabeth Yetzer, Alena Brooks, Katie Hill and Nikki Swenson ran a time of 11 minutes, 12.34 seconds to place second with the fourth-fastest DMR time in Gopher history.
The Meyo Invitational runs some race distances seldom seen during the season, the 1,000 meters being one of them. Redshirt Missa Varpness placed second in the event with a time of 2:49.90.
Senior Natalie Devine enjoyed one of her best outings in the high jump. Devine cleared a height of 5-8 1/4, an effort just one centimeter off her career high.
Sprinters Nyoka Giles and Chimerem Okoroji advanced to Saturday’s final in the 60-meter dash. Both Gophers recorded times of 7.64 seconds in the preliminary round.
The Meyo Invitational resumes on Saturday at 10 a.m.
Watch more Videos on Flotrack
Players Mentioned
Mid-Distance
/ Women's Track & Field
Hurdles/Jumps
/ Women's Track & Field
Jumps/Srints
/ Women's Track & Field
Mid-Distance
/ Women's Track & Field
Sprints
/ Women's Track & Field
Distance
/ Women's Track & Field
Sprints/Jumps
/ Women's Track & Field
Sprints/Jumps
/ Women's Track & Field
Distance
/ Women's Track & FieldAnthonett Nabwe Wins NCAA Title
Monday, March 16
Anthonett Nabwe Wins B1G Silver
Saturday, February 28
Dyandra Gray | 2025 All-American
Sunday, June 15
Ali Weimer Breaks School Record at NCAAs
Sunday, June 15