Sept. 27, 2006

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Fighting Illini continue their racing season this Friday, Sept. 29, when they travel to South Bend, Ind. to compete in the 51st running of the Notre Dame Invitational. The Orange and Blue will look to improve upon the standards they have set early on in the season as they face off against fierce competition.

A total of 54 schools will be sending either or both of their men's and women's teams to compete. Men's squads include top-ranked Wisconsin, Michigan (15), Notre Dame (16), Providence (27), and Florida State (24).

Head coach Wendel McRaven is ready to battle tougher competition and is eager for the preparation a big invitational will provide for his squad.

"This meet will give us a chance to see where we stack up with some of the top teams in the country at this time of the year," said Coach McRaven. "Big invitationals can really be productive in preparing our athletes for the championship meets later in the year. This is ultimately very specific preparation for the Big Ten, regional and national meets. We'll take what we learn in this meet and apply it in our preparation for the championship meets. Our big picture focus hasn't changed."

Racing action will begin at 4:15 p.m. with the women's race, followed by the men at 5 p.m. at the nine-hole Notre Dame Golf Course on the Notre Dame Campus. After the Notre Dame Invitational, the Illini will take a weekend off before competing at the Saluki Invitational on Saturday, October 7, in Carbondale, Ill.