Sept. 30, 2002

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The University of Illinois men's cross country team will host their only meet of the season this weekend when the Illini welcome Northern Iowa and Eastern Illinois to the Illinois Invitational held at 9:45 a.m. at the Dowell Properties Forest Preserve in Mahomet, Ill.

"It's always exciting to have a home meet no matter how big the meet is," Gary Wieneke said. "We have a lot of things we need to work on this week. Our guys know this is a big meet because it is going to establish who our runners are going to be during the championship phase of our season. We are looking for guys to step up this weekend. Those who do will be the ones we take to the Big Ten and Midwest Regional Championships."

Last weekend the Illini finished 16th at the 27-team Roy Griak Invitational in Minneapolis, Minn. Senior John Kronforst led the Illini for the ninth consecutive race finishing 15th overall in a time of 24:47.5. While Kronforst will be competing in his final home meet this weekend, freshman Jason Bill will be competing in his first. Last weekend, Bill finished 36th overall in a time of 24:57.7 en route to finishing second for Illinois. Another Illinois freshman competing in his first home meet will be Paul Jellema. Jellema has battled a foot injury throughout the early portion of the cross country season, but will be making his Illinois debut on Saturday. Last season, Jellema was the Illinois Class A Cross Country state championship in a time of 14:32.

Directions to the Dowell Properties Forest Preserve: (From Champaign) Fans can take Interstate 74 west to exit 172. Make a right after taking the exit and the Dowell Properties Forest Preserve will be located on the left. The start and finish lines are located on the west side of the forest preserve.