Friday, January 23
Champaign, IL
11:00 AM
Wisconsin Badgers
at
Fighting Illini Challenge and Combined Events
Photo by: Maddox Durst
Jones II posts historic heptathlon result at Fighting Illini Challenge
January 23, 2026 | Men's Track & Field
Freshman ranks No. 6 in the NCAA this year and No. 7 in school history
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Wisconsin men's track and field team wrapped up the combined event portion of the Fighting Illini Invitational on Friday, highlighted by a top-10 performance by Darius Jones II in the heptathlon.
Jones II totaled 5679 points to place fourth overall and his point total ranks No. 7 on the school's top-10 list. It is also the best heptathlon score by a Badger freshman in school history and currently ranks No. 6 in the NCAA this year.
Jones II opened the day with a personal-best effort in the 60-meter hurdles, finishing third in 8.13 seconds. The Tallahassee, Florida. native followed with a fourth-place clearance of 15 feet, 5 inches (4.70 meters) in the pole vault before closing the heptathlon with a sixth-place finish in the 1000 meters in 2:54.84.
Jack Schmeling also completed the heptathlon for the Badgers, placing sixth with 4726 points. Schemling clocked a 2:52.16 in the 1000 meters to finish fourth in the event, marking his best result of the day. He added a sixth-place finish in both the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 9.16 and pole vault with a clearance of 11-5 ¾ (3.50m).
Up next: Competition continues Saturday with the Fighting Illini Challenge and Combined Events resuming in Champaign, featuring Wisconsin's throwers and pole vaulters beginning at noon. Meanwhile, select distance runners and sprinters will compete at the Penn Elite in Philadelphia, with the event starting at 11 a.m. CT
Fighting Illini Invitational and Combined Events
Friday, January 23, 2026
Champaign, Illinois
Results
Heptathlon (Final)
4. Darius Jones II, 5679
6. Jack Schmeling, 4726
60 Meter Hurdles (Heptathlon)
3. Darius Jones II, 8.13 PR
6. Jack Schmeling, 9.16
Pole Vault (Heptathlon)
4. Darius Jones II, 15-5 (4.70m)
6. Jack Schmeling, 11-5 ¾ (3.50m)
1000 Meters (Heptathlon)
4. Jack Schmeling, 2:52.16
6. Darius Jones II, 2:54.84
Jones II totaled 5679 points to place fourth overall and his point total ranks No. 7 on the school's top-10 list. It is also the best heptathlon score by a Badger freshman in school history and currently ranks No. 6 in the NCAA this year.
Jones II opened the day with a personal-best effort in the 60-meter hurdles, finishing third in 8.13 seconds. The Tallahassee, Florida. native followed with a fourth-place clearance of 15 feet, 5 inches (4.70 meters) in the pole vault before closing the heptathlon with a sixth-place finish in the 1000 meters in 2:54.84.
Jack Schmeling also completed the heptathlon for the Badgers, placing sixth with 4726 points. Schemling clocked a 2:52.16 in the 1000 meters to finish fourth in the event, marking his best result of the day. He added a sixth-place finish in both the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 9.16 and pole vault with a clearance of 11-5 ¾ (3.50m).
Up next: Competition continues Saturday with the Fighting Illini Challenge and Combined Events resuming in Champaign, featuring Wisconsin's throwers and pole vaulters beginning at noon. Meanwhile, select distance runners and sprinters will compete at the Penn Elite in Philadelphia, with the event starting at 11 a.m. CT
Fighting Illini Invitational and Combined Events
Friday, January 23, 2026
Champaign, Illinois
Results
Heptathlon (Final)
4. Darius Jones II, 5679
6. Jack Schmeling, 4726
60 Meter Hurdles (Heptathlon)
3. Darius Jones II, 8.13 PR
6. Jack Schmeling, 9.16
Pole Vault (Heptathlon)
4. Darius Jones II, 15-5 (4.70m)
6. Jack Schmeling, 11-5 ¾ (3.50m)
1000 Meters (Heptathlon)
4. Jack Schmeling, 2:52.16
6. Darius Jones II, 2:54.84
Players Mentioned
Multi-Events
/ Men's Track & Field
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