MEET INFO
NORMAL, Ill. – In their final tune-up before MVC Championships, the Illinois State men's and women's cross country teams will travel to Champaign, Illinois, Friday to compete in the Illini Open. The women's 5K is slated to start at 4 p.m., with the men's 8K following at 4:40 p.m., at the University of Illinois Arboretum.
Including the 'Birds, this week's meet features a line-up of seven men's teams and eight women's squads. The men's race contains five USTFCCCA regionally-ranked opponents, two of which are MVC foes: No. 3 Purdue, No. 4 Illinois, No. 7 Butler, No. 7 Bradley, and No. 14 Indiana State. Eastern Illinois completes the men's field.
After setting a new personal-best in the Open Race at the Bradley Pink Classic, sophomore Ethan Kirk will look to lead the 'Birds as he carries his momentum into this week's race. Junior J.D. LaFayette and senior Wes Ward will also be key competitors for ISU as they look to drop their times before MVC Championships.
The women's race includes a trio of USTFCCCA regionally-ranked opponents: No. 9 Bradley, No. 9 Purdue, and No. 10 Northern Illinois. Butler, Eastern Illinois, Illinois, and MVC opponent Indiana State round out the eight-team women's field.
Coming off of an 11th place finish at the Bradley Pink Classic, the Illinois State women will be led by freshman Audrey Janik, who was the fourth Redbird to cross the finish line last week. Sydney Billingsley and Annie Moore will also be ones to watch this week after recording huge personal-records their last time out.
Action of the race can be followed on Twitter via @Redbird_TrackXC. Full coverage will be available on GoRedbirds.com following the conclusion of the meet.
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