April 27, 2006

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Known to have a dynamic distance history, the Fighting Illini men's and women's track teams kicked off the 2006 Drake Relays with impressive showings in the 5,000-meter run late Thursday evening. Junior Cassie Hunt led the women's squad with a first-place finish and a new career best, while junior Trent Hoerr was the only runner from the men's squad.

Hunt, who led the Fighting Illini women's cross country team to a fifth-place finish at the NCAA Championships last fall, ran away with first place by recording a personal-best 16:17.12. Her time marks second all-time in the event in school history behind senior Jaime Turilli's mark of 16:13.53 set last outdoor season at the NCAA Championships in Sacramento, Calif.

Turilli was Illinois second finisher as she came in fifth with a time of 16:31.78. Junior Stephanie Simms also had an impressive 5,000-meter race with a time of 16:38.97, beating her previous best of 17:27. All three times for the women were regional qualifying marks.

Illinois women's distance and cross country coach Karen Harvey could not be more satisfied with the way her athletes ran on the first day.

"I'm relieved," Harvey said. "I've been waiting for all three of them to step it up like this. They were having good workouts but were looking a bit stale in competition. It's a big weight off their shoulders, especially for Jamie and Stephanie."

Junior Trent Hoerr was the lone athlete from the Orange and Blue men's squad to compete Thursday night. The junior placed eighth in the race with a 14:23.29. Fellow junior Jason Bill was also scheduled to run the 5,000-meter, however he did not compete in the event.

The Relays continue tomorrow morning at 8:48 a.m. with the women's 4x100-meter run. All results can be found on www.drakerelays.org.