University of Illinois
Big Ten Championships
Loud, Dale Lead Illini At B1G Championships
November 3, 2019 | Men's Cross Country
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Redshirt sophomore Irwin Loud and redshirt senior Zach Dale each ran to top-25 overall finishes to lead the Illini in the men's 8K at Big Ten Championships on Sunday at Ohio State. Illinois finished ninth as a team at the conference meet with a team score of 219.
"Our men and women are both showing a beautiful progression," said Illinois head cross country coach Sarah Haveman. "Their dedication to our process and each other showed today."
Irwin Loud has crossed first for the Illini in each of the team's five races this season. At Sunday's conference meet, Loud timed 24:31.4 to place 21st overall.
"For our men, there are so many victories to pull from," Haveman said. "Irwin Loud has established himself in the conference after years of injuries. He has found himself on the other side of his hard work and dedication. He will be stronger and better as time goes on and is responding beautifully to our system."
Next to finish for Illinois was redshirt senior Zach Dale, who placed 24th overall with a finish time of 24:42.2. It is the best place-finish of Dale's career at Big Ten Championships.
"Senior Zach Dale did a fabulous job," Haveman said. "He has been able to define himself this year through his role on the team and had the best Big Ten race of his career."
Sophomore Colin Yandel crossed third for the Orange and Blue, recording a finish of 25:07.5. Redshirt junior Jack LaLonde finished soon after, clocking an 8K PR finish of 25:13.1 and placing 58th. Sophomore Logan Hall was the fifth Illini scorer, placing 70th with a time of 25:26.3.
"Jack LaLonde also had a great day and really stepped up for his team," Haveman said. "Both of these upperclassmen (Dale and LaLonde) worked very hard for the days they had today both mentally and physically. They are great examples of what it means to be a Fighting Illini and we are so proud of them."
Up next, the Illini continue on in the postseason, competing at the Midwest Regional Championships hosted by Oklahoma State on Friday, November 15. The women's 6K will lead off, beginning at 10:30 a.m. CT. The men's 10K will follow and is scheduled to start at 11:30 a.m. CT.
"Today was a great day, but really it is the days and months leading up to it that we are most proud of," Haveman said. "We are laying a great foundation at Illinois and are excited to consistently demonstrate that at the Big Ten meet and beyond. We will keep having fun and will continue to set ourselves up for success."
Team Scores
1. No. 14 Wisconsin- 56
2. No. 13 Indiana- 70
3. No. 17 Michigan- 78
4. No. 9 Purdue- 82
5. Penn State- 169
6. Nebraska- 172
7. Michigan State- 176
8. Minnesota- 193
9. Illinois- 219
10. Iowa- 224
11. Ohio State- 317
12. Rutgers- 386
Illinois Results
21. Irwin Loud- 24:31.4
24. Zach Dale- 24:42.2
54. Colin Yandel- 25:07.5
58. Jack LaLonde- 25:13.1
72. Logan Hall- 25:26.3
90. Jack Roberts- 25:51.8
95. Michael Madiol- 26:07.2
97. Bennett Melone- 26:15.5
For complete coverage of Fighting Illini Cross Country, visit FightingIllini.com, follow the Illini on Twitter (@IlliniTrackXC) and Instagram (illinitrackxc) and like Fighting Illini Track and Field & Cross Country on Facebook.
