Sept. 6, 2014
Portland Dual Results KELSO, Wash. - The Fighting Illini men's cross country team made a rare trip to the West Coast for a dual meet with Portland on Saturday. The Orange and Blue fell to the Pilots, 19-36, but there were plenty of positives to take away from the contest.
"I was pretty pleased with our effort today," explained coach
Jake Stewart. "I thought our guys competed well. We knew how good Portland was and it was dead even with a mile to go. They were just better than us over that last mile. Taking everything into consideration, especially the travel and time change, I can't really complain with our performance."
Paul Zeman led the Illinois over the four-mile course, clocking a time of 19:54.24 to finish fourth. Teammate
Jannis Toepfer, who was making his season debut for the Illini, crossed the line in fifth with a 19:55.83 showing.
Will Brewster (20:16.21),
Ian Barnett (20:19.80) and
Garrett Lee (20:23.05) rounded out the top five for the Orange and Blue, finishing eighth, ninth and tenth, respectively.
Joe Cowlin (20:25.28),
Ryan Burgoon (20:37.68) and
Alex Gold (20:58.15) rounded out the finishers for Illinois.
"I thought Paul took another step today," said Stewart. "He ran with the some real good athletes for most of the race. Jannis and Ian had good openers that we'll look to build upon. Will and Garrett had good performances, as well."
The Illini harriers will return to action in the Midwest on Friday, September 12, when they are scheduled to take part in the Bradley Intercollegiate Invite in Peoria, Illinois.
ILLINOIS RESULTS 4.
Paul Zeman, 19:54.24
5.
Jannis Toepfer, 19:55.83
8.
Will Brewster, 20:16.21
9.
Ian Barnett, 20:19.80
10.
Garrett Lee, 20:23.05
11.
Joe Cowlin, 20:25.28
13.
Ryan Burgoon, 20:37.68
14.
Alex Gold, 20:58.15
TEAM RESULTS 1. Portland, 19
2. ILLINOIS, 36
