University of Illinois Men's Track

Turk has the led the Illini back to the top of the Big Ten, highlighted by four Big Ten runner-up finishes and the 2015 Outdoor Big Ten Championship. Overall, Turk has accumulated more than 30 years of coaching experience at the collegiate level, including 26 years in NCAA Division I.  Prior to taking over as head coach in 2010, Turk served as an assistant on Illinois' staff for four seasons, beginning in 2006. During the four seasons, Turk guided Nick Brown to All-American honors in both the long jump and triple jump and Greg Shroka in the high jump. Turk builds his program around a philosophy that is based on four core values - unity, integrity, transparency and foucs - that aim to fulfill the University of Illinois' mission to "transform lives and serve society by mentoring excellence and cultivating leaders." These core values are met through a process oriented approach that is executed through engaging relationships and continual personal growth.  In addition, Turk and his staff collaborate with the I-Perform initiative that seeks to improve student-athlete performance and well-being.  I-Perform focuses on the "standardization of training philosophy, a comprehensive wellness plan and the analysis of current sports science literature and technology to enhance the training process."   Turk is a USATF Level II certified coach in the jumps and throws and as an instructor. He is a part of the USATF Coaches Education Level II staff and helped contribute to the USATF Level II Throws curriculum. Turk is a popular clinician and has spoken at numerous clinics throughout the country. He has also researched and authored several articles on coaching literature. Since 2008, Turk has coached current American recorder holder, Gia Lewis-Smallwood, in the women's discus. A 2001 All-American and Big Ten champion at Illinois, Lewis-Smallwood is a three-time USA champion, three-time World Championships team member and a 2012 Olympian. From 2014-15, Lewis-Smallwood owned the second-best discus mark in the world (226'11", 69.17m). As a student-athlete at Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill., Turk received his bachelors degree in Physical Education in 1985 and competed on the varsity track and field team. He was the 1984 CCIW Conference Champion in the shot put. Turk and his wife, Lori, reside in Mahomet and have three children, daughters Hannah and Payton and a son, Sam. 

Squire Senior Associate Director of Athletics/Chief Integrity Officer Alma Mater: Ohio State '95 Ryan Squire was named senior associate athletics director - chief integrity officer in May 2016. In this role, he works with major student-athlete wellness units including Academic Services, Compliance, Nutrition, Sports Medicine, and Strength and Conditioning. He coordinates risk management and integrity initiatives as well as the implementation of education, policies and procedures to facilitate compliance with federal, state and institutional laws and regulations.  He also serves as the liaison to the Office of for Student Conflict Resolution and University Ethics and Compliance Office. Before assuming the senior associate athletic director role, Squire served as associate athletics director for compliance at Illinois for seven years overseeing the administration of a comprehensive compliance program. He previously worked as an assistant in the Illinois Compliance Office from 2002 to 2007. Between the two stints with the Fighting Illini, Squire served as the assistant athletic director for compliance and certification at Bowling Green State University, heading up the Falcons' Compliance Office from 2007 to 2009. Squire began his career in compliance at the University of Cincinnati in the fall of 1998 where he was the associate director of compliance and student services overseeing the day-to-day compliance operations for the Bearcats until 2002 when he came to the University of Illinois as an assistant in the DIA Compliance Office. The Sylvania, Ohio, native earned his bachelor's degree in political science from The Ohio State University in 1995 and his J.D. at the University of Cincinnati in 1999. He and his wife, Elizabeth, have two children and reside in Champaign. Updated August 2016

Vetter Director of Track & Field Operations/Armory Track & Floor Coordinator Alma Mater: UW-Superior '01 Eric Vetter has worked at the University of Illinois since May of 2007 when he was hired as the Coordinator of the Armory Track & Floor. Since that time, Vetter has also served as the meet director for cross country and track and field meets hosted by Illinois. In June 2014, Vetter was named Director of Cross Country / Track and Field Operations. As the Director of Operations, his duties involve assisting with the teams' travel arrangements and itineraries and acting as the liaison between the teams and support staff in addition to handling the facility coordinator and meet director responsibilities for the cross country and track & field teams. A native of Ashland, WI, Vetter received his bachelor's degree in Physical Education from the University of Wisconsin-Superior in 2001 where he ran cross country and track & field. Following his undergraduate degree, from 2002-05 Vetter was a physical education teacher and cross country/track & field coach with the Bangor School District in Bangor, WI. He earned his master's degree in Physical Education with an emphasis in Sports Management while serving as Graduate Assistant Track & Field Coach at Eastern Illinois University from 2005-07. Vetter is a USATF Level 2 Certified Coach in the Endurance Events. Eric and his wife, Carmen, live in Champaign with their dog Lily. Updated August 2015

Stewart has guided the Fighting Illini back to the top of the Big Ten ranks with a 2015 runner-up finish at Big Ten Championships and back-to-back top-10 recruiting class, per FloTrack.   In 2015, Stewart guided the Orange & Blue to the programs most successful season in more than a quarter-century. The Fighting Illini placed second overall at Big Ten championships, which marked their highest conference finish since 1988. At the Big Ten meet, three Illini clocked times that ranked in the top-10 in Illinois history, led by Dylan Lafonds record 8K time of 23:22.4 to place third overall. The success continued deep into November as Dylan Lafond became the programs first All-American since 2007.  In 2014, Stewart led the men's cross country team to a sixth-place finish at the Big Ten Championships, with Jannis Toepfer placing sixth to earn All-Big Ten honors. The team earned a fifth-place finish at the NCAA West Regional with their top performance coming from Ian Barnett with a mark of 30:20.3. During the 2014 indoor track season, Ian Barnett set the school record for the 3,000m run, with a time of 8:02.40, at the Rod McCravy meet. The distance medley relay team of Garrett Lee, Cam Viney, Tony Zea, and Liam Markham placed ninth at Big Ten Championships. Outdoors, the distance crew netted 30 points at the Big Ten Championships, led by runner-up performances by Joe McAsey (800m) and Dylan Lafond (3,000m steeplechase). In 2013, Stewart led the men's cross country team to a fifth-place finish at the Big Ten Championships, with Jannis Toepfer placing sixth to earn All-Big Ten honors. Toepfer also qualified for the NCAA Championships, marking the third consecutive year that at least one Illini has qualified for the national meet. During the 2014 indoor track season, the distance medley relay team of Luke Carroll, Joe McAsey, Stephon Pamilton and Liam Markham recorded the second-fastest time in school history, while eight individual Illini entered Illinois' all-time top-10 lists. In addition, the Illini scored points in the 5,000m at the Big Ten Championships for the first time since 2009. Outdoors, the distance crew racked up 21 points at the Big Ten Championships, led by Big Ten Champion Joe McAsey (800m). McAsey also earned second-team All-America honors after placing 14th at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Stewart finished his first year as the head men's cross country coach/assistant track coach and saw a very successful year, including five new school records and 12 additions to the All-Time Top 10 lists. Stewart guided the Illini to a fourth place finish at the Big Ten Championships, which was the best performance in 16 years. For the second consecutive year, the squad sent two runners to the NCAA Championships as senior's Hunter Mickow and Jannis Topfer ran in the national meet for the first time in their career. During the track season, the distance medley relay placed seventh at the NCAA Indoor Championships to earned All-America honors, while Hunter Mickow earned second-team All-America honors in the 10,000m at the outdoor championships. Stewart coached two All-Americans, two All-Midwest Regional athletes, three All-Big Ten athletes, and 10 NCAA qualifiers. During his time at Purdue, he had success on the cross country course and on the track. In the fall, he led the men's cross country team to its best finish since the 2008 season. Stewart also had two athletes qualify for the NCAA Division I East Preliminary Round of Championship (800, 5,000m) while also coaching an athlete who's performance placed them into the top five all-time in the school record books. In addition, Stewart had a USATF Junior All-American and recruited the first Foot Locker All-American recruit in school history. Before coaching at Purdue, Stewart spent three years at Lamar University where he was the assistant track coach and cross country coach. At Lamar, he was named the Southland Conference Coach of the Year in 2009 and in 2010 after the men won four of their five invitationals including a top finish at the 12-team conference championships. The men were also back-to-back cross country conference champions in 2009 and 2010. Individually, he coached 3 All-Americans in indoor and outdoor track, 17 Southland Conference champions, 39 All-Conference performers, 10 NCAA qualifiers, and one World Cross Country Championship athlete. Stewart helped the Cardinals set 10 new school records and coached 53 conference point scorers in both indoor and outdoor track. Prior to his tenure at Lamar, Stewart was the assistant coach for the Iona College men's and women's cross country and track and field teams for three seasons. In his time with the Gaels, the men's cross country team finished third in 2006 and runner-up in 2007 and 2008, the highest finish of any program in school history. The men's team was also honored for its scholastic achievements as it was named the NCAA Division I All-Academic Team of the Year in 2006 and 2007. In addition, he coached the first women's cross country team to qualify for the 2006 national championships. During his time as an undergrad at Iona, Stewart helped the Gaels win four MAAC championships and finish in the top 10 each year. In addition, he was the captain of the squad in 2005, becoming the first walk-on in program history to achieve the feat. Stewart earned his Masters degree in Sports Administration from Concordia University, Irvine California and his Bachelor of Science in English from Iona College in 2005. He resides in Champaign and he and his wife, Brandi, welcomed their first child, Griffin, in November.

Wheatley is in his fourth year at Illinois and has built a foundation of success in the men's sprints, hurdles, relays, and horizontal jumps. Since joining the Illini, he has coached 22 All-Americans, 30 NCAA qualifiers, 41 Regional Qualifiers, 11 Big Ten champions, and 32 All-Big Ten finishers. His guidance has helped rewrite Illinois history with 37 of his athletes now sitting on the top ten performance list in their respective events. In 2013, Wheatley was named USTFCCCA Indoor Men's Assistant Coach of the Year for the Midwest Region. In 2015, In 2015, Wheatleys success with the relay teams continued as the accolades continued to mount. The 4x400m relay team broke the schools outdoor record with a finish of 3:06.58 at NCAA Championships, finishing fourth overall. Indoors, the four notched another top-10 finish by placing eighth overall. The quartet also brought home Big Ten Championships at both indoor and outdoor meets. The 4x100m compounded the 4x400m relay success by taking home the indoor crown as well. In sprints, Wheatley led the Illini to numerous record-breaking performances. Wheatley guided DJ Zahn as he broke school records in the indoor 200m and 400m, and the outdoor 200m on his way Big Ten titles in those three events and and bronze medal at NCAA Outdoors (400m). In 2014, DJ Zahn (400m), Cam Viney (400h), Brandon Stryganek (200m) and a 4x400m quartet of Zahn, Joe McAsey, Kenneth Allen and Stephon Pamilton advanced to the Outdoor NCAA National Championship. Zahn covered 400 meters in 45.69, moving him to fifth on the all-time list, while Stryganek ran 20.66 in the 200m placing him second in Illinois history. At the Outdoor Big Ten Meet, Illinois had two finalists in every sprint and hurdle event with Wheatley's athletes scoring 74 of the team's 109 points. Their effort helped the Illini to a second place team finish, the highest in 20 years. Leading the way for the Illini was Pamilton defending his 400m title with a time of 45.92 with Zahn finished a close second place finish in 45.93. Vainer Joseph defended his 110h title with a time of 13.68 with newcomer David Kendziera coming in fourth with a time of 13.93. Viney led the long hurdle group with a second place finish in 50.99 in 400m hurdles with Kendziera finishing fifth in 51.50. The 4x400 relay finished in second with a time of 3:05.81 and the 4x100 finished in third in a time of 39.72 Vainer Joseph represented the Illini at the NCAA Indoor Championship earning All-American status in the 60h. At the Big Ten Indoor Championship, Pamilton defended his indoor title and the 400m with DJ Zahn finishing second. Pamilton and Zahn also scored in the 200m. Joseph earned a third place finish in the 60h with teammate Viney finishing 7th in the event. Stryganek added points in the 200m and 60m as well. Illinois' 4x400 team of Zahn, Viney, Allen, and Pamilton finished 3rd place earning the group All-Big Ten Honors. 2013 was a banner year for Coach Wheatley's group. At the NCAA Outdoor meet, the 4x400m turned a run of 3:04.83 into a fifth place finish while the 4x100m posted a season best time of 39.34. In the 400m, Juan Paul Green earned 2nd Team All-American honors and earned a second place finish in the 400m at the USA Jr. Championships. Green represented Team USA at the Pan Am Junior Games in Medellin, Colombia bringing home a gold medal for his carry on the men's 4x400m relay. At the 2013 Big Ten Outdoor meet, Illini sprinters came home with two individual titles with Joseph claiming the 110h outdoor championship and Pamilton in the 400m. During the 2013 indoor season, the 4x400m relay, Pamilton (400m), Joseph (60h) and two members of the Distance Medley Relay team represented the Illini sprints and hurdle crew at the NCAA Indoor Championships. Ryan Lynn (800m) and Pamilton (400m) earned All-American status for their duty on the Distance Medley Relay. Pamilton also earned second team All-American honors in the 400m and anchored the 4x400m team to a ninth place finish. Joseph earned second team All-American n the 60h. Illini sprinters and hurdlers scored 54 of 87.50 points at the 2013 Big Ten Indoor Championships to help the squad to a second-place team finish, the program's highest finish since 2000. Stryganek (60m) and Pamilton (400m) both captured their first Big Ten titles while Joseph finished runner-up in the 60m hurdles. In his first season at Illinois, Wheatley's 4x100m relay team earned first-team All-American honors at the NCAA Outdoor Championship after winning the Big Ten title. Stanly Azie earned second place at the Big Ten Championships in the 100m as well as Honorable Mention All-American honors in both the 100m and the 200m at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Azie concluded his season with a third place finish in 100m at the Nigerian Olympic trials in 2012. Prior to Illinois, Wheatley coached at the University of Virginia (UVA) and guided athletes to two indoor All-American honors and three outdoor All-American honors. He coached 11 regional qualifiers, 3 ACC Champions and 16 All-ACC award winners. Wheatley's athletes broke every hurdle school record in the book, with Ayla Smith (60h - 8.39, 100h -13.51, 400h - 56.54), Adams Abdulrazaaq (60h -7.75, 110h - 13.66) and Steve Delice (400h - 50.02) all setting new school records. Off the track, his athletes were honored with six All-ACC Academic Team accolades and five USTFCCCA All-Academic Team certificates. Before UVA, Wheatley served coached 6 conference champions, 7 All-conference performers, 4 NCAA Regional Qualifiers and 1 NCAA Indoor Provisional Qualifier at Austin Peay State University and the College of Charleston. After a successful prep career at Thomas Worthington High School in Ohio, Wheatley ran collegiately at the University of Tennessee. He was a member of the 2001 Outdoor NCAA Championship team, the 2002 Outdoor NCAA Runner-up team, and won back-to-back SEC Outdoor Championships in 2001 and 2002. He earned All-American honors in 2001 and 2002 running legs on the 4x400 relays. In addition to All-American honors, Wheatley earned three All-Southeast Conference (SEC) finishes (1999) in the 800m and (2001 & 2002) in the 4x400 and was a part of a school record setting 4x400m relay, running 3:02.13, a record that still stands today. He was elected the team captain by his teammates in 2000 and was named the EdSouth's Men's Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2002. He graduated with a B.A. in Urban Planning. Wheatley resides in Champaign with his wife and three children.