The last time the Illinois State mens cross country team ran it faced two ranked teams. This weekends NCAA Preview Meet is a horse of a different color as the Birds race 18 of the top 25 teams in the country.
This is a great opportunity for us and we really dont go in with a lot to lose, head coach Jeff Pigg said. Its by far the biggest and best meet in the country.
The national spotlight will be shining on Ames, Iowa, as No.1 Stanford, No. 3 Colorado and No. 5 Wisconsin headline the field of 63 teams.
A strong showing by the Birds, ranked No. 4 in the Midwest Region, may be enough to push the team into the top 25.
I feel that were at that level, and I believe if we run really well that we can be a top 25 team, Pigg said. Were going to compete as hard as we can and let the chips fall into place.
Competing for the Birds will be seniors Mark Reed, Lars Juhl and Peter Madsen; juniors Kevin Bailey and Robert Breit and sophomore Christian Goy.
Coach Pigg feels that preparation for the meet has gone well and that his team is very hungry and focused on the task at hand.
Were at a place where they arent running for themselves, Pigg said. Theyre running for the team and knowing that everyone else is doing the same. They really want it for one another.
