University of Illinois
Illini Open
Illini Finish Regular Season With Victory
October 24, 2008 | Men's Cross Country
Oct. 24, 2008
URBANA, ILL. -
The Fighting Illini men's cross country team finished regular season competition on a high note on Friday winning the team title at the Illini Open at the UI Arboretum. The Illini finished with a score of 19 points, while the Illinois CC Club grabbed second place with 49 points and Illinois State took third with 52 points. Unattached runner Christian Escareno was the 8K individual winner, crossing the finish line in an 8K time of 25:16.
Freshman Phil Pompei was the top Illinois finisher in fourth place with a time of 26:18. He was followed by teammates junior James Macatangay in fifth, freshmen Ron Revord in seventh and Chris DeSilva in ninth, while senior Ryne Beeson took 14th and rounded out the Illini finishers.
"I thought we ran pretty solid," cross country coach Wendel McRaven said. "The young guys received some valuable experience. The course was a little muddy in spots, so the times weren't blazing fast, but it was good for the guys running to finish the season on a high note."
The Orange and Blue now set their sights on the Big Ten Championships, which presents opportunities and challenges for the team."
"We have trained all year for this time of the year," McRaven said. "The guys know what we have to do to be successful."
The Big Ten Championships are set for a 9:45 a.m. start on Sunday, Nov. 2, in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Illinois Finishers
4. Phil Pompei 26:18
5. James Macatangay 26:22
7. Ron Revord 26:35
9. Chris DeSilva 26:43
14. Ryne Beeson 27:13
