Oct. 20, 2009
Running Times Article on Bizzarri
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illinois women's cross country standout Angela Bizzarri was named Big Ten Runner of the Week for the week ending Oct. 20, announced today by the conference office. The seven-time All-American earned the award for her first-place finish in the White Division at the Pre-National Invitational in Terre Haute, Ind., on Saturday, Oct. 17.
The Mason, Ohio, native finished the 6K race at the LaVern Gibson Championship Course in 20:27.8 to top the other 246 competitors and lead the Illini to a fifth-place finish in the loaded field. At the 3K split of the race, Bizzarri was nearly 20 seconds behind Washington's Kendra Schaaf. On the home stretch, Bizzarri pulled ahead of Schaaf, and the rest of the field, and won the race by almost two seconds.
This marks the second time Bizzarri has been distinguished with this honor during her college career. She also received the accolade as a freshman in September 2006 when, in her collegiate debut, she won the Brissman-Lundeen Invite with a 6K time of 20:54.
The last Illini to garner Big Ten Runner of the Week honors was Amber Stack on Oct. 28, 2008.
Next up for Illinois is the Illini Open on Friday, Oct. 23 at the UI Arboretum at 4 p.m. CT.
