Oct. 1, 2008

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The No. 10 Illinois women's cross country team is set to travel to South Bend, Ind. this Friday, Oct. 3 to compete at the Notre Dame Invitational. Beginning at 3:15 p.m., the Illini will race in the Blue Division and will face 23 other teams, 11 of which are nationally ranked. Among the Illini's stiffest competition are No. 3 Florida State, No. 6 Princeton, No. 13 Providence and No. 15 Michigan.

"It's basically a mini pre-nationals meet," cross country coach Jeremy Rasmussen said. "The competition is probably going to be one of the best we will face all year long. I expect that the group will be able to step up to the challenge of not having their front runner there."

The Illini will showcase most of their top runners from the 2007 squad that placed sixth at the NCAA Championships. Making their season debuts are seniors Maggie Carroll and Katie Engel, junior Theresa Brokaw and sophomore Chantelle Groenewoud. Four-time All-American Angela Bizzarri will be held out of competition this weekend and is expected to make her season debut at Pre-Nationals on Oct. 18.

"We've had quite a few people step up this year," Rasmussen said. "Katie Engel has been one of the front-runners and both Theresa Brokaw and Elizabeth Boyle have made great strides from last year. Everybody else is running well and with those three along with Chantelle and Kristin (Sutherland), we should be fine. It is only the beginning of October and we still have a lot of time left."

After having next weekend off, the team will split up and compete at the Bradley Open on Friday, Oct. 17 at 4:45 p.m. as well at the Pre-National Meet in Terre Haute, Ind. on Oct. 18 at 10:00 a.m.