CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Fighting Illini men's and women's cross country teams are set to head up to Madison, Wis. for the second time this year to compete in the Nuttycombe Invite on Friday (Sept. 27) at the Thomas Zimmer Championship Cross Country Course. The women's 6k will begin at 12:20 p.m. followed by the men's 8k at 1 p.m. CT.
Illinois is a part of a 25 team men's field and a 27 team women's field along with fellow Big Ten teams Michigan, Northwestern, Oregon, Penn State Washington, and Wisconsin. The last time the men's team competed in the Nuttycombe Invite was in 2018, while the women's team last competed in 2011.
The last time the Illini cross country teams were in action was on Sept. 13 at the Orange and Blue Golf Course in Savoy, Ill. Senior Halle Hill was the Illini women's top finisher that day as she placed second overall in the 6k with the program's fifth-best time of 20:11.5. Junior Alex Partlow led the Illini men with a seventh-place finish in the 8k with the program's 10th-best time of 23:51.1. Sophomore Avril Andre recorded a top-10 program mark as well with the ninth-best 6k (20:33.4).
Two other Illini set personal bests in the 6k in sophomore Mabry Bruhn (21:55.4) and junior Audrey Ginsberg (23:05.9). In the 8k, four more Illini set personal bests including juniors Brady Masters (24:02) and Shawn Juliette (25:40.3) as well as seniors, Tyler Cushing (24:05.5) and Anthony Maida (24:09.6).
