University of Illinois
NCAA Championship
Jason Bill Competes at the NCAA Cross Country Championships
November 25, 2002 | Men's Cross Country
Nov. 25, 2002
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - Freshman Jason Bill wrapped up his impressive freshman campaign with a 155th-place individual finish at the NCAA Cross Country Championships hosted this afternoon by Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Ind.
The Buda, Ill., native and Bureau Valley High School product competed against 251 runners and earned the finish with a time of 31:37.0 despite running in the cold conditions.
"It was a learning experience for Jason today," Wieneke said. "He got a chance to compete against the best in the country and to see what he needs to do to continue his progression. All-in-all, he had a great freshman season and he is someone who is going to make the most of this experience and become a better runner because of it."
Bill was the first Illinois individual to qualify for the NCAA Cross Country Championships since 1996 when both Barry Pearman and Jason Zieren competed at the Championships. Bill is also the first Illinois freshman to qualify as an individual for the NCAA meet since 1973 when Craig Virgin qualified for the meet after a third place individual finish at the NCAA Regional.
Colorado senior Jorge Torres won the individual national title with a time of 29:04.7, while Stanford won the team title with 47 team points.
