University of Illinois
Big Ten Championships
MXC Set for Big Ten Stage
October 28, 2016 | Men's Cross Country
Race to be broadcast live on Big Ten Network
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Head Coach Jake Stewart's Fighting Illini cross country team will toe the line against the Big Ten's best runners, as the Illini compete at Big Ten Championships in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Sunday, October 30 at 11 a.m. central time. For the first time, Big Ten Network will broadcast the meet live, with coverage beginning at 10 a.m. The Orange and Blue will be racing at the Les Bolstad Golf Course for the second time this season after competing at the Roy Griak Invite on September 24.
| Big Ten Championships | |
|---|---|
| When | Sunday, October 30 // 11 a.m. // BTN & BTN2Go |
| Where | Les Bolstad Golf Course // Minneapolis, Minnesota |
| Meet Resources | Live Stream | Meet Notes | Meet Central | Course Information | 8K Map |
| Team Information | Media Guide | Performance List | Quick Facts | Twitter |
Follow the Meet:
In addition to the live coverage on Big Ten Network, results will be shared through USTFCCCA's National Results Wall and fans can follow @IlliniMXC on Twitter for updates throughout the meet. A full recap of the meet will be posted on fightingillini.com following the conclusion of the race.
Running for the Illini
The Fighting Illini will send out a group that returns a majority of its runners from last season's runner-up finish, led by 2015 All-Big Ten runners Dylan Lafond and Jesse Reiser. Returning for their second Big Ten meet will be Sean Pengelly, Alex Gold, Zack Smith, Dan Lathrop, Billy Magnesen, while freshman Jon Davis and Zach Dale will be making their conference meet debuts.
A Look at the Competition
The Big Ten conference enters Sunday's championship meet with four schools currently ranked in the USTFCCCA top-30 poll, as well as another receiving votes. Defending Big Ten champion Michigan leads the way with their No. 14 ranking, while Wisconsin and Indiana follow at No. 18 and No. 19, respectively. Michigan State rounds out the four ranked squads at No. 29, while Minnesota is receiving votes. The Illini made a one-week appearance in the rankings, debuting at No. 29 on October 4.
Coach Stewart on the Meet
"We have a very good group of guys. We can't take that for granted. We have to show up, and compete, and put ourselves in a position to race to the best of our ability. That's the challenge of the group, to take the confidence that we have in ourselves, knowing what we can do, and apply it to the race. I think the team that does that the best will have the best day."
Time Management
Roy Griak Time Personal-Best Time
Dylan Lafond 26:38 23:22.4 - Big Ten Championships (11/1/15)
Jesse Reiser 25:47 23:58.0 - Big Ten Championships (11/1/15)
Jon Davis 26:20 24:13.0 - Roy Piane Invite (9/30/16)
Sean Pengelly 25:54 24:25.2 - Joe Piane Invite (9/30/16)
Dan Lathrop - 24:01.4 - Big Ten Championships (11/1/15)
Billy Magnesen 26:37 24:13.0 - Big Ten Championships (11/1/15)
Alex Gold 26:07 24:33.9 - Joe Piane Invite (9/30/16)
Zach Dale 26:23 24:38.2 - Joe Piane Invite (9/30/16)
Zack Smith - 24:33.7 - Big Ten Championships (11/1/15)
Orange and Blue Beat Four Ranked Squads at Joe Piane Invite
The Fighting Illini bounced back from the Roy Griak Invite by placing fifth at the Joe Piane Invite on the campus of Notre Dame, beating four ranked teams in the process. Freshman Jon Davis led the way with a time of 24:13.0, while Jesse Reiser and Dylan Lafond followed with times of 24:15.1 and 24:15.9, respectively.
Reiser Leads Illini in Debut at Griak
Making his season debut, sophomore Jesse Reiser was Illinois' top finisher at the Roy Griak Invite on September 24, placing 30th overall with a time of 25:47. The McHenry, Illinois native is coming off of a freshman campaign that saw him place 11th at Big Ten Championships and receive the Big Ten Freshman of the Year award, the first to do so in Illinois history.
Jon Davis Impresses in Debut
Making his Illini debut at the Bluegrass Invite, freshman Jon Davis clocked a 24:32.7 8K time that placed him third overall. Competing against host Kentucky and ninth-ranked Eastern Kentucky, Coach Stewart applauded his ability to follow the race plan and close hard at the end of the race.
Lafond of You
The Fighting Illini return senior All-American Dylan Lafond after the Manchester, New Hampshire native made his debut on Coach Stewart's squad last fall after transferring from the University of Mount Olive. Placing third at Big Ten Championships last season, Lafond is the top returning runner from last year's meet. FloTrack has Lafond ranked No. 21 in their preseason rankings. In addition to becoming the Illini's first cross-country All-American since 2007, Lafond has excelled on the track, earning All-America honors in the 3,000m steeplechase and breaking the school's indoor 3K and 5K records last winter.
Coach Stewart Reels in Second Straight Top-10 Recruiting Class
For the second year in a row FloTrack has ranked the Orange & Blue in their recruiting class rankings. The 2016 class, led by three-time IHSA State Champion Jon Davis, ranks 10th in the nation and third in Big Ten. Stewart also brought in a top-10 class in 2015 with runners Jesse Reiser, Zach Dale and Caleb Hummer.
Up Next
The Orange and Blue will head to Iowa City, Iowa for the NCAA Midwest Regional where the Illini will look to qualify for NCAA Championships as a team for the first time since 1986. The meet will take place at the Ashton Cross Country Course, where the Illini competed on September 2 at the Hawkeye Invite. The men's race is scheduled for 11:45 a.m. central time on Friday, November 11.
