Oct. 28, 2001

SAVOY, Ill. - A balanced team effort on the women's side and a personal-best race by John Kronforst for the men headlined the University of Illinois' afternoon at the 2001 Big Ten Cross Country Championships in Savoy, Ill.

The event, an 8,000-meter race for the men and 5,000-meter race for the women, was hosted by Illinois and was run at the University of Illinois Orange and Blue Golf Course.

Finishing seventh overall in a time of 24:13.2, Illinois junior John Kronforst became just the eighth Illini harrier since 1984 to earn first team All-Big Ten honors. The finish was tops for an Illinois runner at the conference meet since 1996 when Jason Zieren and Barry Pearman finished fifth and sixth respectively. The Prospect Heights, Ill., native shattered his personal-best 8,000-meter time to earn the honor. Prior to this afternoon's outing, Kronforst's best 8K time was 24:44, which he set at this season's Illinois Invitational on Sept. 22.

Following Kronforst was junior Aaron Wahls. The Pontiac, Ill., product finished 53rd with a time of 25:20.9, just three seconds shy of setting a personal-best time of his own.

Wisconsin won its third conference crown in as many seasons scoring 28 team points to out-duel the Michigan Wolverines.

The Badgers had four runners finish in the top seven, but weren't able to knock off Michigan's Alan Webb. Webb's late burst down the home stretch sealed the win in a time of 23:19.9.

In the women's race, the Fighting Illini finished tied for seventh overall with Penn State, but got a balanced effort from a trio of runners who finished in the top 30. Celi Dietzen led that group finishing 21st overall in a season-best time of 18:00.4. Dietzen's finish was the first time the Elmhurst, Ill., native led the Illini in 2001. That time was also her best since the 2000 Big Ten Championships when she ran a 17:36 to finish seventh.

Following Dietzen was sophomore Erin Frakes and freshman Jamie Turilli. Frakes toured the course in a time of 18:08.8 to edge Turilli for 29th place. Turilli grabbed 30th with a time of 18:08.9.

Overall, Michigan State showed its strength by winning the event with 35 team points. The Spartans placed five runners in the top 14 to snap Wisconsin's six-year reign a top the conference.

Despite missing out on the team title, the Badgers boast the individual champion. Bethany Brewster won the individual title after running a time of 17:02.6 to outlast Michigan State's Ann Somerville.

The Illini are off next weekend before returning to action on Nov. 10 at the NCAA Midwest Regional in Carbondale, Ill.

Illinois Women's Results: Team : 7th of 11 Teams, 153 Points 21. Celi Dietzen 18:00.4, 29. Erin Frakes 18:08.8, 30. Jaime Turilli 18:08.9, 32. Amber Hunt 18:12.9, 41. Marcy Bice 18:21.6, 52. Casie Simpson 18:36.6, 56. Leigh Anne Kenyon 18:47.0, 69. Amy Guard 19:02.3, 84. Joy Braun 19:36.9.

Illinois Men's Results: Team : 10th of 10 Teams, 231 Points 7. John Kronforst 24:13.2, 53. Aaron Wahls 25:20.9, 56. Tim Moran 25:23.3, 57. Adam Palumbo 25:23.7, 58. Brent Pfeiffer 25:25.6, 67. Justin Mitchell 25:55.3, 69. Tim Seiwert 26:22.6, 82. Rich Lin 26:28.8, 84. Andy Janssen 26:33.4.