Garrett Scantling tapped as new Illinois assistant track & field coach

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A fourth-place finisher at Tokyo 2020, Garrett Scantling joins the Illinois track staff under longtime coach Petros Kyprianou.

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CHAMPAIGN - The University of Illinois has added an Olympian to its coaching roster as director of track, field and cross country Petros Kyprianou announced the hiring of Garrett Scantling as an assistant coach Tuesday. Scantling will work closely with Kyprianou, focusing on the jumps and combined events squads.

A fourth-place finisher in the decathlon at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Scantling brings a wealth of high-level competitive and coaching experience to the Illini program. His Olympic run was highlighted by a score of 8,611 points, which included personal bests in the 400-meter dash (48.25) and 1500-meter run (4:35.54). He qualified for Tokyo by winning the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon, with 8,647 points.

“Garrett is an ultra-positive person who brings world-class Olympic experience,” said Kyprianou, who has coached Scantling since 2011. “He has a special ability to relate to student-athletes because he’s walked in their shoes. I believe his impact will be felt immediately.”

Scantling’s collegiate career at Georgia, where he was coached by Kyprianou, was marked by steady excellence. He medaled three times at the NCAA Indoor Championships in the heptathlon, earning bronze as a freshman in 2013, silver in 2015, and another bronze in 2016. His top collegiate mark came in 2015 with 6,068 points in the heptathlon.

After his NCAA career, Scantling continued to compete at the highest level. In 2022, he claimed two national titles, winning the U.S. Indoor Championships in the heptathlon with 6,382 points and later dominating the USA Combined Events Championships with a personal-best 8,867 points in the decathlon.

His coaching background includes a stint as an assistant coach at Georgia under Kyprianou from 2019 to 2021. Most recently, he returned to his alma mater, the Episcopal School of Jacksonville, where he served as the strength and conditioning coach while also leading football, girls weightlifting, and track and field.

Now, Scantling brings that experience to Champaign.

“I’m super excited to be a part of what Petros has built here for the Illini,” said Scantling. “I can’t wait to share my experience and expertise with all the different student-athletes I’ll get to work with.”

The addition of Scantling comes as Illinois continues building depth across its program. His arrival strengthens an already ambitious push to elevate the Illini’s performance in multi-events and jumps on the Big Ten and national stages.

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Tags: Garrett Scantling Illinois track and field coach, University of Illinois hires Olympic decathlete coach, Illinois track and field jumps and combined events coaching staff, Petros Kyprianou reunites with Garrett Scantling at Illinois, Garrett Scantling coaching career after Tokyo Olympics

Illinois volleyball starter receives Big Ten preseason honors

SNS - In a testament to her remarkable talent and dedication, Illinois outside hitter Raina Terry has been named to the Big Ten Preseason Honors list, the league announced on Thursday. Terry stands out among the 18 student-athletes from the conference selected for this prestigious accolade, solidifying her place as one of the most formidable players in collegiate volleyball.

2024 BIG TEN VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM

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Raina Terry, Gr., OH, Illinois
Camryn Haworth, Sr., S, Indiana
Melani Shaffmaster, RS-Sr., S, Minnesota
MERRITT BEASON, Sr., OPP, Nebraska
Taylor Landfair, Sr., OH, Nebraska
Harper Murray, So., OH, Nebraska
Bergen Reilly, So., S, Nebraska
LEXI RODRIGUEZ, Sr., L, Nebraska
Emily Londot, Fifth-Year, OH/OPP, Ohio State
Mimi Colyer, Jr., OH, Oregon
JESS MRUZIK, Gr., OH, Penn State
Chloe Chicoine, So., OH, Purdue
Eva Hudson, Jr., OH, Purdue
Anna Dodson, Gr., MB, UCLA
Mia Tuaniga, Sr., S, USC
Carter Booth, Jr., MB, Wisconsin
Sarah Franklin, Sr., OH, Wisconsin
Anna Smrek, Sr., MB/OPP, Wisconsin

Unanimous selection listed in ALL CAPS

Terry concluded her senior season in spectacular fashion, leading the Big Ten with a staggering 618 total points and finishing third with 539 total kills. Her exceptional performance didn't stop there; she ranked sixth nationally with an impressive 4.69 kills per set and seventh in the country with 5.37 points per set. Within the conference, she placed second in both categories, highlighting her dominance on the court. By the end of 2023, these marks ranked eighth and ninth in the nation, respectively, underscoring her consistent excellence throughout the season.

In conference play alone, Terry's stats were equally impressive. She averaged 5.41 points per set, placing her second in the Big Ten, and 4.72 kills per set, securing the third spot in the league. Additionally, she showcased her versatility with a strong service game, ranking 10th in the conference with 0.37 aces per set and recording 28 service aces, the fifth-best total in the Big Ten.

Terry's ability to deliver in high-pressure situations was evident throughout the season. She recorded 10 matches with 20 or more kills, including seven against conference rivals, and notched three double-doubles. Her consistency was a driving force for the Illini, leading the team in kills in 28 of their 30 matches in 2023.

The Marengo, Ohio, native reached a significant milestone on Senior Night against Michigan, becoming the first player in the Big Ten to surpass 500 kills last season. In a standout performance against Ohio State, Terry recorded a career-high 28 kills in just four sets, showcasing her offensive prowess and ability to carry the team in crucial moments.

After an illustrious four-year career with the Illini, Terry ranks 10th all-time in program history with 1,634 career kills, nestled between AVCA All-America honorable mention Megan Cooney and 2020 Olympic gold medalist Michelle Bartsch-Hackley. Additionally, she stands fourth all-time with 164 career aces, cementing her legacy as one of the program's greats.

2024 BIG TEN VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON POLL

1.  Nebraska
2.  Wisconsin
3.  Penn State
4.  Purdue
5.  Minnesota
6.  Oregon
7.  USC
8.  UCLA
9.  Ohio State
10. Indiana
11. Illinois
12. Michigan State
13. Washington
14. Maryland
15. Michigan
16. Northwestern
17. Rutgers
18. Iowa

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Illini knock off Cornhuskers, Ozolins leads Illinois with two wins

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

URBANA - Karlis Ozolins crushes a forehand during his match against Nebraska's Roni Hietaranta on Sunday. The Illinois sophomore from Latvia, who is ranked No. 46, rolled to 6-1, 6-1, victory in his singles match against Hietaranta. The Fighting Illini tennis team won their last home match of the season over the visiting Cornhuskers, 4-2. Ozolins also picked up an earlier win with doubles partner Hunter Heck. The pair defeated Nebraska's William Gleason and Leo Linquet, 6-2.

Box Score

Doubles Results

1. No. 50 Hunter Heck Karlis Ozolins (ILL) def. William Gleason/Leo Linquet (NEB), 6-2
2. No. 52 Mathis Debru Oliver Okonkwo (ILL) vs. Calvin Mueller/Lars Johann (NEB), 3-3 UF
3. Gabrielius Guzauskas William Mroz (ILL) def. Roni Hietaranta/Shunya Maruyama (NEB), 6-1

Singles Results

1. No. 46 Karlis Ozolins (ILL) def. Roni Hietaranta (NEB), 6-1, 6-1
2. Leo Linquet (NEB) def. Hunter Heck (ILL), 6-2, 2-6, 6-3
3. No. 88 Alex Petrov (ILL) def. Shunya Maruyama (NEB), 6-4, 6-3
4. Lars Johann (NEB) def. William Mroz (ILL), 6-4, 6-3
5. Oliver Okonkwo (ILL) def. William Gleason (NEB), 3-6, 6-1, 6-2
6. Nic Meister (ILL) vs. Nic Wiedenhorn (NEB), 6-3, 6-7, 4-1 unfinished

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