CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Fighting Illini men's and women's cross country kicked off their season on Friday afternoon as both teams secured runner-up finishes at the Walt Crawford Open at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois. The Illini had two top-five finishers, with freshman Margaret Gamboa taking home a runner-up finish in the women's 5k (17:39.62) and Eddie Lennon finishing in fifth place for the Illini in the men's 8k (25:19.05).

On the women's side, four Illini finished in the top ten (Margaret Gamboa, Caroline Fix, Katie Hohe, and Brianna Lausev), while all seven finished in the top 15. Gamboa, a true freshman, earned a runner-up finish in her first collegiate race with the Orange and Blue. For the men, there were two top-five finishers in Eddie Lennon and Michael Madiol, while all five who competed finished in the top 16.

Team Scores (Women):

1. Eastern Illinois (29)
2. Illinois (31)
3. SIUE (72)
4. Kaskaskia College (124)
5. Defiance College (133)

Team Scores (Men):

1. Eastern Illinois (18)
2. Illinois (44)
3. SIUE (67)
4. Kaskaskia College (102)
5. Defiance College (131)

Illinois Results (Women):

2. Margaret Gamboa (17:39.62)

6. Caroline Fix (18:30.37)

9. Katie Hohe (18:48.39)

10. Brianna Lausev (19:11.48)

11. Breena Shreeves (19:11.82)

14. Alyssa Norris (19:23.30)

Illinois Results (Men):

5. Eddie Lennon (25:19.05)

8. Michael Madiol (25:42.94)

11. Will Giblin (25:55.46)

14. Anthony Maida (26:01.44)

16. Edwin Siuda (27:03.75)

UP NEXT

The Illini are off from competition for the next two weeks before traveling to Illinois State for the Redbird Invite on Friday, September 17.

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.