University of Illinois
NCAA Outdoor Championships
Cookinham Becomes Shot Put All-American on Day One of NCAA Championships
June 11, 2026 | Women's Track & Field, Men's Track & Field
RECAP
Full Results
EUGENE, Ore. – The Illinois men's field team completed the first day of the NCAA Outdoor Championships on Wednesday (June 10) from Hayward Field. Jacob Cookinham threw a 19.17m (62-10 3/4) in the shot put to earn his first All-America honor. He's the first Illini shot put All-American since Tyler Sudduth in 2024 and collects the school's sixth honor.
Two Orange and Blue decathletes completed the first halves of their decathlons today with Luuk Pelkmans residing in fourth place with 4,218 points and Andreas Hantson in 12th with 3,950 points.
Pelkmans day was highlighted by a win in the shot put on a new personal-best throw of 15.57m (51-1) and a fourth-place finish in the high jump also on a new personal-best mark of 2.04m (6-8 1/4). Hantson placed 10th in the long jump on a leap of 7.16m (23-6).
ALL-AMERICANS
- Jacob Cookinham placed eighth in the shot put, 19.17m (62-10 3/4)
UP NEXT
The Illini women begin their first day of competition tomorrow (June 11) as well as the second half of the decathlon. The decathlon resumes at 12:45 p.m. and field events begin at 4:30 p.m. CT.
NOTES
- Cody Johnston placed 10th in the pole vault, 5.50m (18-0 1/2)
DECATHLON
Luuk Pelkmans – Fourth (4,218 points)
- Won the shot put with a PB 15.57m (51-1)
- Placed fourth in the high jump with a PB 2.04m (6-8 1/4)
- Placed seventh in the 400m (49.12)
- Placed eighth in the long jump, 7.25m (23-9 1/2)
- Placed 18th in the 100m (11.17)
Andreas Hantson – 12th (3,950 points)
- Placed 10th in the long jump, 7.16m (23-6)
- Placed 11th in the high jump, 1.98m (6-6)
- Placed 12th in the 400m (49.59)
- Placed 14th in the shot put, 13.38m (43-10 3/4)
- Placed 22nd in the 100m (11.33)
Jip de Greef – DNF
- Placed fifth in the 100m (10.78)
- Placed sixth in the long jump, 7.27m (23-10 1/4)
- Placed seventh in the shot put, 13.71m (44-11 3/4)
- Placed 18th in the high jump, 1.92m (6-3 1/2)
- DQ in 400m (Two steps over lane)
