Both the men’s and women’s cross country team traveled to Champaign, where they competed in the the Illini Open on Oct. 23 in their last meet before the Missouri Valley Conference championship meets.
The day ended with one team bringing home a title.
The women’s cross country team took first place at the Illini Open with four runners placing in the top-10, garnering them individual awards.
Senior Kylie McKinney led the team to a fourth place after completing her 5K with a time of 18:31.14. This was a big finish for McKinney that left her coaches very pleased.
“Kylie did a great job in practice,” head coach Darren Gauson said. “We wanted her to trust that she could compete in a race like the Illini Open, and she did very well with a top ten finish.”
Finishing closely behind McKinney was senior Lauren Houmes, who completed her 5K with a time of 18:39.47 to earn fifth place.
Sophomore Natalie Burant followed on the heels of McKinney and Houmes, finishing sixth with a time of 18:42.20. With a time of 18:45.7, sophomore Hannah Witczak claimed eighth place at the meet.
The women’s cross country team was able to win the Illini Open title all while placing ahead of three Big Ten teams including Northwestern, Illinois and Purdue.
“It was encouraging to beat some Big Ten teams,” Gauson said. “It gives us some momentum going into the Missouri Valley Conference championship.”
For the men’s team, junior Steffen Uhrich was able to place in the top-10 as he finished his race with a time of 26:07.0 for ninth place.
“Steffen had his best run of the season so far,” Gauson said. “He has been training very hard. To come up with a top-10 performance at the Illini meet was very pleasing for him and will give him confidence going into the championship part of the season.”
The women’s team will look to defend their title this weekend at the MVC championship held in Evansville, Indiana on Oct. 31. The men’s team will also compete for the title at the MVC Championship Saturday.
“We have got a great group, and we want to go out there and win the championship,” Gauson said.
