CHAMPAIGN  In the spring of 1967, Bob Wright was becoming an all too familiar figure at Rockford Guilford High School.

   The University of Illinois track and cross-country coach made recruiting trip after recruiting trip in single-minded pursuit of a state champion in the mile.

   Or so Gary Wieneke assumed.

   Greg Dykstra, then a junior at Rockford Guilford High School, was biding his time before the start of the mile run at a conference track meet when his coach came storming up to him.

   "He comes up with this rolled-up newspaper in his hands and says, ''Did you read what they wrote about you in the paper?'' " the former University of Illinois runner said recently. "He had this really disgusted look on his face."

   ATHENS, Greece  Starkey was strong, but Sergei was sensational.

   Former Illini Dean Starkey became the first American to win a medal at a major pole vault competition since the 1984 Olympics when he took bronze Sunday at the World Track and Field Championships.

A reception to honor Gary Wieneke for his 30 years of coaching at the University of Illinois will be Sept. 5 at the Chancellor Hotel and Convention Center. Wieneke has been the Illini's cross-country head coach since 1967 and has served as track and field head coach since 1975.

   BLOOMINGTON, Ind.  Truth be told, Dorian Green never has been all that crazy about running the 400 meters.

   "It hurts," the University of Illinois sprinter said.

   CHAMPAIGN  It''s the duel that''s been years in the making: Reggie Torian vs. Tony Simmons.

   On Sunday, it finally came off. And more than lived up to its billing.

   CHAMPAIGN  Bobby True was smoldering mad. And Bobby True''s track coach hadn''t the slightest idea why.

   CHAMPAIGN  Tunde Ridley wasn''t so wide-eyed this time.

   When the University of Illinois freshman competed in his first Big Ten Conference track and field championship meet in February, "I wanted to see everything more than like compete."

   Instead of viewing the passing spectacle Saturday, Ridley threw himself headlong into it.