At the start of the season, first-year Illinois State cross country coach Jeff Pigg met with his mens team and discussed the possibility of reaching the NCAA Nationals. That discussion turned to reality Monday when the Redbirds learned they were an at-large selection to 31 team championship meet.
At the first meeting, we talked about winning a conference championship and going to nationals, and everyone was excited, Pigg said. Its been a dream year that well never forget. Thats the way it unfolded. This is a group of guys who bonded, interacted and rallied together to do everything in their power to make this happen.
This is something the seniors have been trying to do for four years, senior Lars Juhl said. Peter (Madsen) and I really wanted to do everything to make it happen. Sunday and Monday were very nerve-racking, but the way we have run this year is proof that we belong there.
Consistency from the No.1 runner to the No. 5 runner has been key for the Redbirds all season. All-conference picks Mark Reed, Lars Juhl, Peter Madsen and Christian Goy have been the top four performers throughout while juniors Kevin Bailey and Robert Breit along with freshman Todd Quednau have been solid runners at the fifth spot.
The Birds earned the at-large bid to the meet after finishing fourth, ahead of nationally ranked Nebraska, at the Midwest Regional last Saturday.
I always tell the guys to line up and do their very best, Pigg said. We let the chips fall and are happy with the outcome. In this case, the outcome is something we truly wanted
We didnt have a great day (last Saturday), but we were solid. The guys fought like crazy, and thats what its all about. If you give it your best and you dont make it, you can live with it. If you make it thats great, but if you went out and gave it everything you had you can live with it either way.
Juhl hopes that the teams performance will mirror that of the NCAA Preview Meet, held at the same course as Mondays Championship, where the Redbirds placed 22nd out of 63 of the top teams in the nation. While Arkansas is the defending champion, Colorado won the Preview and is favored Monday as well.
Were looking to improve upon our performance from the Preview Meet, Juhl said. The national meet is unique, a lot of teams are on the bubble. Once they get there they dont run up to their best potential. We want to avoid that. Weve been training to make this the best meet of the year.
Pigg feels that this team is different from the other teams.
They have pride in representing the university, themselves and their team, Pigg said. It truly means something to have Illinois State across their chests. Its a different fell than what you usually see.
The Redbirds conducted their final hard workout on Wednesday afternoon at their practice site in Carlock.
One of our rituals is to do the hard workouts in Carlock. When we got in the van to go to Carlock, the van knew the way to go, Pigg added. We know the way to Ames. Weve been down that highway and the van knows where to go.
