June 24, 2006

Champaign, Ill. - Fighting Illini junior Cassie Hunt ended the 2005-06 track season on Saturday by finishing as the top collegiate athlete in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the USA Track and Field Championships in Indianapolis, Ind.

Hunt, facing an impressive field of athletes, placed 10th overall with a time of 10:16.54. The time topped her first round performance of 10:18.22 recorded Friday to advance to the final. Nike's Lisa Galaviz won the race with a time of 9:57.58.

Distance coach Karen Harvey was definitely satisfied with what Hunt was able to experience at the national competition.

"This was great for Cassie," Harvey said. "She was tired, but she did her best. This is the experience Cassie is going to need for next year when she is a senior. Cassie had to do this and istaking away a lot of knowledge from the meet. Now we'll take a break and once we get back to training we'll work harder than ever before."

Saturday's competition marks the end of the Illinois 2005-06 track season. Both Illini men's and women's squads will take well-deserved breaks before preparation begins for the 2006-2007 cross country and track seasons.

For more information on USA Track & Field and complete results from today's competition, visit www.usatf.org.