Sept. 3, 2010

Results | Photo Gallery

URBANA, Ill. - The Fighting Illini men's cross country team opened up its season by winning a sixth consecutive title at the Illini Challenge, paced by a one-two finish from juniors Colin Mickow (18:37) and Dan Kremske (18:39). The squad finished with 19 points, followed by Butler (43), Illinois CC Club (67), SIU - Edwardsville (116), and Danville Area Community College (138).

"I thought all the guys ran well," cross country coach Wendel McRaven said. "We had three guys run faster than Colin Mickow did last year when he won the race, which I think says a lot. It will give our guys some confidence knowing that they're doing this fresh off their summer training, and they can run well when it matters. Wherever we're at, we want to run as well as we're physically capable of running at the end of the year."

Five of the top eight runners were Illini, with Mickow leading the pack and taking the title with a time of 18:37. Kremske followed close behind and placed second (18:39), while junior Nathan Bohne (18:46) posted a breakout performance and took fourth. Sophomore Jordan Hebert earned a sixth-place finish with a time of 18:56, two seconds in front of junior Phil Pompei, who took eighth with a time of 18:58 to wrap up the Illini scoring.

"You don't want to put too much stock into it but it's a pretty good start," Bohne said. "I'd like to help out the team any way I can. I started fresh and did some different things with my summer training, and I think it's paying off so far this year."

Junior Nathan Troester also finished in the top 10, coming in ninth with a time of 19:14. Illinois' three freshmen, Mark Donohue, Jordan Lagomarcino and Manu Kumar, each ran unattached at the season-opening meet.

The Illini will take a weekend off before heading to Normal, Ill., to compete at the Illinois Intercollegiate Championships.

ILLINOIS RESULTS
1. Colin Mickow 18:37
2. Dan Kremske 18:39
4. Nathan Bohne 18:46
6. Jordan Hebert 18:56
8. Phil Pompei 18:58
9. Nathan Troester 19:14
12. Mark Donohue (unattached) 19:40
16. Jordan Lagomarcino (unattached) 19:56
23. Drew Bell 20:06
32. Manu Kumar (unattached) 21:02

TEAM RESULTS
1. ILLINOIS 19
2. Butler University 43
3. Illinois CC Club 67
4. SIU - Edwardsville 116
5. Danville Area CC 138