Full Results
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. – The Fighting Illini competed for the second straight year at the Roy Griak Invite, finishing nine spots ahead of last season's performance. In their biggest meet of this season to date, the Illini were led to their ninth-place finish by senior Alyssa Schneider who notched a fourth place finish overall.
"I think we did a much better job of staying physically and mentally tough for the competition, and then competing with real purpose, said Head Coach Scot Jones. We had a plan, and I was real pleased with how the team competed overall."
For the third consecutive meet, Schneider was the first in orange and blue to finish, finishing with a time of 21:27.3, good for fourth overall. The finish was a remarkable step up from her 58th overall finish at last year's Roy Griak Invitational.
"I saw a senior competing like a senior," said Jones. "We know she has tremendous talent; we know that she has tremendous work ethic. Today, she just competed with a tremendous amount of poise. She carried herself with a lot of confidence and she projected that onto her teammates."
Britten Petrey (22:40.5) and Hanna Winter (22:50.8) followed Schneider through the chute as the second and third Illini to finish today, 46th and 58th overall.
Valerie Bobart and Denise Branch, finishing fourth and fifth on the team, were the next two to finish for the Fighting Illini. For Branch, finishing with a time of 23:17.0, Coach Jones felt that she ran one of her strongest races of her Illini career.
"Denise Branch ran a competitive race, the best competitive she's ran while wearing an Illinois uniform."
Audrey Blazek placed 91st overall with a time of 23:26.8. Her impact was felt throughout the race and extended well beyond what her place and time indicated as she helped to pace the Illini to begin the meet.
"Audrey Blazek really set things up fro the team," said Jones. "She kind of got us out and put our team where they needed to be. She really had a big responsibility and contributed to the team's success."
Next up: After a couple weeks off to rest their legs, the Illini will travel to Louisville, Kentucky for Pre-Nationals on Saturday, October 17 with a start that has yet to be determined.
TEAM RESULTS:
Boise State – 37
Michigan State 116
Minnesota – 141
9.Illinois – 270
INDIVIDAUL RESULTS:
4. Alyssa Schneider, 21:27.3
46. Britten Petrey, 22:40.5
58. Hanna Winter, 22:50.8
79. Valerie Bobart, 23:12.6
83. Denise Branch, 23:17.0
91. Audrey Blazek, 23.26.8
161. Kim Seger, 25:05.4
