Oct. 24, 2014

Photo Gallery | Illini Open Results

URBANA, Ill. - The University of Illinois men's cross country team hosted the Illini Open on Friday, the final race of the regular season. A trio of Illini completed the eight-kilometer course at the UI Arboretum.

Alex Gold was the first member of the Orange and Blue to cross the finish line. He finished sixth overall with a time of 25:52.08. Ryan Burgoon notched a top-20 finish by clocking 26:14.82, good for 18th. Alex Notton was the final member of the Illini to enter the chute, registering a 26th-place finish in a time of 26:42.62.

A trio of Illini competed unattached at the meet on Friday evening, Zack Smith being the first to complete the course. His time of 25:42.92, a season-best showing, was good for fourth place. Dan Lathrop (25:53.25) and Angel Estrada (25:55.45) also garnered top-10 finishes, with Lathrop finishing seventh and Estrada eighth.

Bradley won the event with 33 points, while Illinois State was second with 44 and Purdue was third with 45. Unattached runner Jake Waterman won the individual title, breaking the tape in 25:02.81.

The Orange and Blue will hit the road next Sunday as they travel to Iowa City, Iowa for the Big Ten Championships. At last season's conference meet, the Illini finished fifth and Jannis Toepfer earned all-conference honors. This year's event is scheduled to begin at 11:45 a.m. at Ashton Cross Country Course.

ILLINOIS RESULTS (out of 58)
4. Zack Smith (unattached), 25:42.92
6. Alex Gold, 25:52.08
7. Dan Lathrop (unattached), 25:53.25
8. Angel Estrada (unattached), 25:55.45
18. Ryan Burgoon, 26:14.82
26. Alex Notton, 26:42.62

TEAM RESULTS (out of 4)
1. Bradley, 33
2. Illinois State, 44
3. Purdue, 45
4. Butler, 106