Angela Bizzarri Named Big Ten Runner of the Week
September 27, 2006 | Women's Cross Country
Sept. 27, 2006
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illinois freshman Angela Bizzarri garnered Big Ten Runner of the Week for the week ending Sept. 25 the conference office announced. Bizzarri's honor came after claiming the individual title in her collegiate debut at the 6,000-meter Brissman-Lundeen Invite on Friday, Sept. 22.
Bizzarri crossed the finish line at 20:54, not only leading Illinois to the team crown, but also giving her the second-fastest 6K freshman record behind Katie Engel's 20:50 performance at the 2005 NCAA Championships, and the fifth-fastest 6K time overall.
Bizzarri, a native of Mason, Ohio has carried her successful tradition from high school competition to her collegiate career, as she was a two-time Ohio Division I State High School Cross Country Champion in 2002 and 2004. Head coach Karen Harvey said that Bizzarri will be a valuable asset to this team's performance. "Angela definitely ran a great race on Friday," Harvey said. "She was very patient and worked well with her teammates through three miles, but her last 1200m was quite impressive. It's a nice start to the season, but it's only a start. We need to keep Angela and everyone healthy to achieve our goals this year."
This is Bizzarri's first weekly honor and the third for an Illini in as many years, as Cassie Hunt and Maggie Carroll were both honored as sophomores in 2004 and 2005, respectively.
