NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State men's and women's cross country teams has released their 2016 schedule as announced by Director of Track and Field/Cross Country Jeff Bovee Monday. Bovee is entering his third season as the Director of Track and Field/Cross Country and his 11th season as the head coach of both the cross country programs.
Last season, the Redbirds had four men and women finish with All-Valley accolades, and one with honorable mention honors. Tyler Morse finished seventh, while Freshman of the Year Kyle Mattes finished 10th to notch All-Valley honors. For the women, Ariel Michalek had a stellar finish as she closed-in on Bradley's Kristen Busch for second place. Haley Goers placed sixth receiving her first cross country All-Valley honors. Jeff Bajema earned All-Valley honorable mention for his 14th place finish.
The men's cross country team placed second, which was the first time since 2007 that the Illinois State men's cross country team medaled in the Missouri Valley Championships. The men's team have six of their top-8 returning for the 2016 season.
The women's team finished third last season at the Missouri Valley Championships. They won back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2012. They also have finished in the top-3 teams for the past six years (2009-15). There are three top-8 returners for the 2016 season.
Illinois State will host its annual ISU Country Financial Invitational on Friday, September 9 starting at 5 p.m. CT with the women's 5K, followed by the men's 8K at 5:45 p.m. CT.
The Redbirds have added the Badger Season Opener (Sept. 23), hosted Wisconsin at the Thomas Zimmer Championship Cross Country Course. Other prestigious meets include the Notre Dame Invitational (Sept 30) and Pre-NCAA (Oct 15).
The NCAA Division I Midwest Regional is hosted by the University of Iowa on November 11. The Midwest region is one of the most competitive regions in the nation in cross country. From the regional race, the top-two teams in each region and the four individual finished not attached to either of those two qualifying teams will automatically advance to the NCAA Division I Championships, which set for November 19 at Terre Haute, Indiana. The top-25 finishers at each regional earn All-Region honors.
For a complete schedule, click here.
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