Oct. 16, 2010

Results

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - The Fighting Illini men's cross country team placed 15th in a field of 35 competing squads on Saturday at the Pre-National meet, hosted by Indiana State University. The Orange and Blue finished ahead of three of the four Big Ten squads in the Blue Race on the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course and posted a team total of 441 points, a 66-point improvement from 2009 (507 points).

"The initial reaction was that it was just an okay day," cross country coach Wendel McRaven said. "We could have done a little better. We looked good early on, but we didn't hold on quite as well as we wanted to."

All six Illini competitors were juniors, with Dan Kremske leading the main squad for the second-straight race. The Woodstock, Ill., native placed 62nd overall in 24:33, nearly 50 spots higher than his finish (111th) from a year ago. Colin Mickow followed, finishing 73rd with a time of 24:39, while Nathan Troester came in 92nd overall, clocking an 8K time of 24:52.

Jim Riddle (24:56) and Phil Pompei (25:00) rounded out Illini scoring, finishing 102nd and 112th, respectively. Also competing for Illinois was Nathan Bohne, who finished 118th in 25:03.

"The guys felt like we have been a little conservative early on and they wanted to stick their nose in there," McRaven said. "It's good to get that experience now. Our plan is to be ready for Big Tens and Regionals, and we are another step closer."

Chris Derrick of Stanford won the individual title in 23:16, and No. 1 Stanford took the overall team title with 43 points. The Illini finished behind Ohio State in 13th place, but ahead of Big Ten foes No. 20 Michigan State (18th), Purdue (19th) and Michigan (23rd).

Up Next: On Friday, Oct. 22 the Orange and Blue will host the Illini Open at the UI Arboretum.

ILLINOIS Results
62. Dan Kremske 24:33
73. Colin Mickow 24:39
92. Nathan Troester 24:52
102. Jim Riddle 24:56
112. Phil Pompei 25:00
118. Nathan Bohne 25:03

TEAM Results (Top 20)
1. No. 1 Stanford 43
2. No. 18 Iona 127
3. No. 15 Florida State 154
4. No. 5 Northern Arizona 192
5. Princeton 196
6. William and Mary 204
7. California 233
8. North Carolina 336
9. Florida 350
10. Louisville 354
11. UCLA 375
12. Dartmouth 384
13. Ohio State 400
14. Montana State 418
15. ILLINOIS 441
16. Richmond 452
17. UTEP 499
18. No. 20 Michigan State 521
19. Purdue 549
20. Binghamton 562