Sept. 14, 2012

Illinois Intercollegiate Results

Normal, Ill. -- The Fighting Illini men's cross country team finished second at the Illinois Intercollegiate on Friday. The Illini finished with a total of 72 points, as four of the top 20 overall finishers sported orange and blue.

"Overall it was a very controlled effort by everyone," head coach Jake Stewart said. "For most, it was the first time running that distance so I thought they all worked hard and stuck to the game plan."

Redshirt freshman Ian Barnett led the way for the Illini and finished fifth overall, with a 8K time of 24:45. Teammate Paul Zeman crossed the line with a time of 25:15 and placed 11th overall. Joe McAsey finished four spots later, coming in 15th overall and third for the Illini with a time of 25:18.

"I'm pleased with how all of them raced," Stewart said. "The guys did a good job of working their way up. They came on late and really stuck to the game plan. I think they all certainly had more in the tank. Dave (Eckhart) and Mark (Donohue) really ran aggressively and set big personal bests. They are at a good point."

Eckhart crossed the finish line finishing fourth for the Illini with an 8K time of 25:34 while Donohue and redshirt-freshman Anthony Manfrin finished 22nd and 25th, respectively.

Sam Penzenstadler from Loyola (Ill.) captured the individual title with a time of 24:24.

The Orange and Blue will take a weekend off before heading to South Bend, Ind., for the Notre Dame Invitational on Sept. 28.

ILLINOIS RESULTS
5. Ian Barnett 24:45
11. Paul Zeman 25:15
15. Joe McAsey 25:18
19. David Eckhart 25:34
22. Mark Donohue 25:39
25. Anthony Manfrin 25:51

TEAM RESULTS
1. Loyola (Ill.) 31
2. Illinois 72
3. Eastern Illinois 83
4. Illinois-Chicago 97
5. Bradley 104
6. Illinois State 127
7. Chicago State 191