CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illinois cross country team hosted the annual Illini Open on Friday at the UI Arboretum, as freshman Kate Dickman (unattached) finished first in the women's 6k with a time of 22:16.0, while freshman Jake Myers (unattached) was the first Illini to finish in the men's 8k with a time of 26:11.1.
"It's always great to have a home competition," said head coach Sarah Haveman. "It was a great opportunity for our team and we took advantage of the day."
Three Illini finished in the top four in the women's 6k, with Katie Hohe taking second place (22:35.0) and Tracy Towns finishing in fourth (22:43.6). Amalia Malacek (unattached), Caroline Fix, and Lydia Malacek were among the other Illini on the women's side to earn top ten finishes, placing fifth, eighth, and ninth, respectively.
The men's squad saw two finishers in the top ten in the men's 8k race with Jake Myers (unattached) taking home the runner-up spot, and sophomore Ben Giblin finishing in fourth place with a time of 26:13.4. The other two runners for the Orange and Blue were Bennett Melone, who finished in 12th place (26:50.2) and unattached runner Evan Cummins, who finished in 15th (27:08.7).
Illinois Results
Women's 6k:
1. Kate Dickman (unattached), 22:35.0
2. Katie Hohe, 23:10.3
4. Tracy Towns, 22:43.6
5. Amalia Malacek (unattached), 22:53.8
8. Caroline Fix, 23:10.3
9. Lydia Malacek (unattached), 23:11.7
13. Breena Shreeves, 24:01.5
16. Alyssa Norris, 24:13.6
Men's 8k:
2. Jake Myers (unattached), 26:11.1
4. Ben Giblin, 26:13.4
12. Bennett Melone, 26:50.2
15. Evan Cummins (unattached), 27:08.7
Up Next
The Illini travel to State College, Pa. for the B1G Cross Country Championships next Friday, October 29.
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.
