Oct. 23, 2008
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The No. 10 Illinois women's cross country team is set to host the Illini Open this Friday, Oct. 24 at the UI Arboretum. The 5K race will kick off at 4 p.m. as 10 members of the Orange and Blue squad prepare to compete against Northwestern and Illinois State. Following the women's race will be the men's 8K race at 4:45 p.m.
"The goals for the race are for everyone to try and go out and set a personal best," cross country coach Jeremy Rasmussen said. "The weather is not looking great, so a PR might be a little more challenging to achieve, but I expect everyone to go out and compete and put forth their best effort for what could be their last race of the season."
The Illini's top runners will be off this weekend after turning in an impressive fourth-place finish at the Pre-Nationals meet last Saturday. Set to compete at the Illini Open are seniors Maggie Carroll and Krystelle Lim, juniors Mara Horwitz, Kendall Nemeth and Ashley Thompson, sophomores Grace Lien, Maggie Mulchrone, Carolyn Tysse and Kate Tysse, and freshman Amber Stack.
With the Big Ten Championships just a week away, the runners are still competing for a spot on the team travel roster.
"The Big Ten squad is not set in stone yet," Rasmussen said. "I will make my decision on Monday after the race on who will be running there."
The Illini will next compete at the Big Ten Championships held in Ann Arbor, Mich. on Sunday, Nov. 2.
