Oct. 23, 2009
Final Stats
URBANA, Ill. - Despite poor course conditions, the Illinois State men's and women's cross country teams had a strong showing at the Illini Open Friday, which was held at the Illinois Arboretum. The men's team was led by sophomore Rich Eber, who finished the race in fifth place after running the course in 26:21, while freshman Samantha Bluske took sixth place in the women's 5K race in a time of 19:02. The men's team defeated Illinois Wesleyan, while the women defeated Northwestern in the Redbirds' final meet of the regular season.
"The course was soft today and had standing water in certain places, but I am really pleased with the effort from the men's and women's teams today," said head coach Jeff Bovee. "We had several runners step up, and I saw a lot of competition. I also thought today's meet was a confidence booster for Samantha, who comes from a smaller school and is used to running at the front of the race. She was able to do that today and looked comfortable in the race. "
Freshmen Blake Brooks (26:35), Mat Smoody (26:35), Bryan Winek (27:07) and Erik Stanton (27:10), who ran unattached, finished the 8K race in a pack taking seventh through 10th place, respectively.
"I thought this was the best race of the season for some of the members of our men's team," said Bovee. "It was a good effort and race by all of our runners."
Sophomore Nick Geyer (24:47), freshmen Patrick Morgan (28:01) and Steven Regan (28:12), along with sophomore Kevin Grady (29:19) crossed the finish line in 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th place, respectively.
On the women's side, joining Bluske in the top-10 was junior Gina Kapusta, who took eighth place in a time of 19:06. Junior Olivia Myers crossed the finish line in 13th place after covering the course in 19:31, while junior Jenny Kraakevik finished the race in a time of 20:39, which put her in 19th place. Rounding out the runners on the women's side was junior Lisa Devereux, who took 21st place in 21:05.
"The women ran against a competitive group from Illinois and most of those women will be on Illinois' conference team," said Bovee. "I was really proud with the way the women ran, and they all did well."
The Illinois State cross country teams will return to action at the 2009 State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Championships next weekend in Peoria, Ill., Saturday, Oct. 31.
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