Nov. 10, 2007
Peoria, Ill. -
NCAA Midwest Regional Team Results 
NCAA Midwest Regional Individual Results
The Fighting Illini women's cross country team took home a second-place finish at the NCAA Midwest Regional Championships on Saturday, Nov. 10 in Peoria, Ill., with sophomore Angela Bizzarri leading the way for the Illini coming in second overall in a time of 20:03. The second-place finish automatically qualifies the Illini for their fourth-consecutive berth to the NCAA National Championships to be held on Nov. 19.
"We accomplished the goal we wanted to going into the race today," cross country coach Jeremy Rasmussen said. "We finished second which qualifies us for nationals, and as far as that I'm pleased. Overall though, I think we ran an okay race. Angela, Katie and Danelle ran solid races, and Theresa Brokaw ran a gutsy race which helped us out a lot.
As the second scorer for the Illini, sophomore Katie Engel crossed the finish line taking 12th-place overall with a 20:45, while freshman Danelle Woods finished in 17th with 20:54. Sophomore Stephanie Baliga came in fourth for the Illini and 31st overall with a 21:16, followed closely by sophomore Theresa Brokaw with a 21:20 in 32nd. Rounding out the top seven for the Illini were freshman Chantelle Groenewoud (36, 21:26) and senior Rachel Hernandez (42, 21:31).
"One thing the girls do a great job of is competing as a team," Rasmussen said. "If someone has a down day, the rest of the group can pick them up and get them back into good spirits quickly. That will help us a great deal looking into nationals."
No. 12 Illinois accumulated 91 points for a second-place finish, coming in closely behind the 79 points No. 6 Minnesota tallied to claim the Midwest Region crown. Iowa followed Illinois in third with 111, No. 30 Nebraska came in fourth with 130 and Oklahoma State finished in fifth with 181.
The Fighting Illini will prepare this week for their fourth-consecutive appearance at the NCAA National Cross Country Championships, which will take place on Monday, Nov. 19 in Terre Haute, Ind. at the Wabash Valley Family Sports Center.
"At this point, physically we can't do much more to be ready for next weekend," Rasmussen said. "Now, we just have to make sure they are feeling good, don't have heavy legs and are focusing on themselves. Making sure they are in the right mind frame throughout the week is something we want to focus on as well."
Illinois Results:
1) Angela Bizzarri (2) 20:03
2) Katie Engel (12) 20:45
3) Danelle Woods (17) 20:54
4) Stephanie Baliga (31) 21:16
5) Theresa Brokaw (32) 21:20
6) Chantelle Groenewoud (36) 21:26
7) Rachel Hernandez (42) 21:31
Team Results:
1) Minnesota 79
2) Illinois 91
3) Iowa 111
4) Nebraska 130
5) Oklahoma State 181
