Sept. 13, 2006
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - After finishing the 2005 season with a fifth-place finish at the NCAA Championships, the Fighting Illini women's cross country team earned a No. 6 ranking from the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Association in their NCAA preseason poll Tuesday. The Orange and Blue are preparing to host the Illini "Pack-It-Up" Challenge, their final home meet of the season, on Friday.
"It's neat to see the rankings and that the committee respects the program," Coach Karen Harvey said. "I don't know if other teams have improved. All I know is that we have improved."
Stanford was ranked No. 1 in the poll, followed by Colorado and Michigan, respectively. Oklahoma State and BYU round out the committee's top five. Other Big Ten teams in the rankings include Wisconsin (10), Iowa (15), Minnesota (16), Michigan State (23), and Indiana (29).
The Orange and Blue will have their first opportunity to prove their collective talents on Friday, as they prepare to host the 5,000-meter Illini "Pack-It-Up" Challenge, the second and final home meet of the season. The Illini will race against Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Illinois-Chicago and Illinois State.
The Illini will be looking to claim their fourth consecutive Illini Challenge title. Leading the charge for the Illini are Sophomore Liz Mengyan and Junior Rachel Hernandez, who took second individually at the challenge in 2005. Junior Jacqui Aubert, sophomore Jamie Kuhl, and six freshmen, including Theresa Brokaw and Taylor Bennett, will complete the roster for Friday.
Illinois will showcase their top seven runners next weekend at the Brissman-Lundeen Invite in Rock Island. However, Friday's race will provide the younger athletes with an opportunity to compete for the traveling spots.
"Our freshmen are improving, but experience always helps," Harvey said. "We've set time goals for the girls and I think they'll find some good challengers in the field. Our goal is to defend our home course and compete."
Racing action will begin at 5 p.m. at the UI Arboretum in Urbana, with the men's race to follow at 5:45 p.m.
