Finding rhythm: Illini hurdler set for college finale

Illinois' David Kendziera poses for a photo in front of Illini hurdles on Thursday, May, 31, 2018.EUGENE, Ore. — David Kendziera watched Aries Merritt closely during warmups for the 110-meter hurdles at the Mt. SAC Relays in Torrance, Calif. The Illinois redshirt senior took in everything Merritt did at the April meet, looking for any tips or tricks he could incorporate into his own training.

Studying Merritt wasn’t a bad idea. The former Tennessee hurdler was the 2012 Olympic champion in the 110 hurdles. A month after winning gold, he set the world record in the event at 12.8 seconds — a record he still holds to this day.

But Kendziera did more than just watch Merritt that April day. He also…