University of Illinois
Illini Challenge
Orange and Blue Place Second at Season-Opening Illini Challenge
September 4, 2009 | Women's Cross Country
Sept. 4, 2009
Complete Illini Challenge Results 
URBANA, Ill. - The Fighting Illini women's cross country team started off the 2009 season strong with a second-place finish at the Illini Challenge on Friday at the UI Arboretum. Junior Ashley Thompson led the pack for the Illini, finishing third overall with a personal-best 4K time of 14:39.57.
"Ashley was outstanding," cross country coach Jeremy Rasmussen said. "She ran a minute and five seconds faster than she did last year. I think it says a lot to the work she put in over the summer and the dedication she has to wanting to be really good."
Freshman Courtney Yaeger had a solid start to her collegiate career, coming in second for the Orange and Blue and 10th overall with a time of 15:12.58. Junior Maggie Mulchrone followed, placing 12th with a personal-best 4K time of 15:29.63.
The Illini Challenge provided Illinois with a chance for the majority of the freshman to compete and earn valuable race experience. Of the Illini's 12 freshmen, six of them ran in Friday's race and all finished in the top 20.
"The freshmen are young and did a great job for their first time coming out here," Rasmussen said. "For them to come out in just the second week of school and really get in the mix and compete, I felt that was the best thing about it. They were competing the entire time and that's exciting to see."
Most of Illinois' top returners did not compete at the Challenge, but will likely appear in competition next weekend.
Kayla Brown of SIU-Edwardsville placed first overall with a time of 14:20.33. Michelle Brunk of Illinois State finished in second place (14:25.52) and led her team to a Challenge victory.
Next weekend, the Illini will split up and compete at the Harry Groves Spiked Shoe Invitational in University Park, Pa., on Friday, Sept. 11 at 4:30 p.m. CT and the Bradley Open in Peoria on the same day at 5:30 p.m. CT.
Illinois Results
3. Ashley Thompson 14:39.57
10. Courtney Yaeger 15:12.58
12. Maggie Mulchrone 15:29.63
13. Meghan Murphy 15:37.57
15. Kelsey Seiler 15:47.40
17. Elizabeth Schreiber 15:49.69
19. Meagan Hynes 15:55.55
20. Sarah Rosenwinkel 16:17.88
Team Results
1. Illinois State 24
2. Illinois 49
3. SIU-Edwardsville 71
4. Robert Morris 110
