University of Illinois
NCAA West Preliminaries
Cookinham Punches Ticket to NCAA Outdoor Championships
May 27, 2026 | Women's Track & Field, Men's Track & Field
RECAP
Full Results
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Illinois men's track and field team completed their first day of the NCAA West Preliminaries on Wednesday (May 27) from John McDonnell Field. Jacob Cookinham punched his ticket to the NCAA Outdoor Championships in the shot put. He placed eighth on a throw of 18.91m (62-0 1/2) to advance to Eugene, Ore. He's the first Illini shot putter to advance to the national meet since Tyler Sudduth in 2024.
Jackson Gilbert placed second in his 400m heat (45.93) to earn an automatic qualifying spot in Friday's quarterfinals race. The men's pole vault was scheduled to take place tonight, but due to inclement weather it was postponed to tomorrow (May 28) at 2:40 p.m. CT.
NATIONAL QUALIFIERS
- Jacob Cookinham – shot put, 18.91m (62-0 1/2)
UP NEXT
The women's track and field team is set to begin their first day of competition tomorrow (May 28) with field events at 9 a.m. and track events at 7:50 p.m. CT.
NOTES
- Jackson Gilbert placed second in his 400m heat to qualify to Friday's quarterfinals (45.93)
- Alex Sohn placed 41st in the shot put, 17.18m (56-4 1/2)
- Pol Molins disqualified from 1500m
