University of Illinois
NCAA Midwest Regional
Illini Conclude Action at NCAA Midwest Regional
November 11, 2016 | Women's Cross Country
Valerie Bobart sets 6K PR
IOWA CITY, Iowa – The Fighting Illini women's cross country team wrapped up their season this afternoon, as Valerie Bobart led the Illini at the NCAA Midwest Regional meet in Iowa City, Iowa. The Orange and Blue finished 14th overall as a team.
"I thought our top four runners were very solid," Head Coach Scott Jones explained. "I thought we raced aggressively up to the level of the competition. Certainly, I thought Valerie [Bobart] was rewarded with our best place at this meet and a personal-record time. I thought Denise [Branch], Audrey [Blazek] and Amanda [Fox] also competed well."
Saving her best race for last, Bobart clocked a personal-best time this afternoon with a 21:14.5 performance. Sitting in 56th place at the 3,000m mark, the Illini senior from Glenbrook North passed 10 runners in the second half of the race to place 46th overall.
"I think she maintained the effort, confidence and commitment [this year] even when she wasn't running as fast as her training suggested she could," said Jones. "The key thing is persistence, and sometimes it doesn't always manifest itself in a performance. She kept putting herself out there and was reward today."
Following Bobart was junior Denise Branch, placing 54th overall with a time of 21:22.1. Using a pace of 5:43.7 per mile, the Brooklyn, New York native finished just three seconds shy of the personal-best time she set on October 1 on the same course.
Redshirt junior Audrey Blazek and senior Amanda Fox were the next to come through the chute and score for Coach Jones, finishing 72nd and 79th, respectively.
Hanna Winter finished the scoring for the Illini, as the senior clocked a time of 23:00.1, finishing 182nd overall. The time marked a 56 second improvement over her time a month ago at the Iowa Regional Preview meet.
Next up for the Illini distance runners will be the indoor track and field season, which begins December 3 when the Illini hosts the Illinois Women's Dual meet at the UI Armory.
"The consistency of our training, and the positive approach we've brought, has me really enthusiastic and confident for the track season."
Illinois Individual Results
46. Valerie Bobart 21:14.5
54. Denise Branch 21:22.1
72. Audrey Blazek 21:37.7
79. Amanda Fox 21:41.4
182. Hanna Winter 23:00.1
189. Diane Lipa 23:07.3
210. Kim Seger 23:37.7
Team Scores:
1.Missouri – 83
2.Oklahoma State – 89
3.Iowa State – 90
4.Minnesota – 131
5.Kansas – 154
14.Illinois - 423
