Full Results: http://bit.ly/1ZLSeJ1

Louisville, Ky. – The Fighting Illini competed at Pre-Nationals today, their last large meet before Big Ten Championships, and came away with what Head Coach Scott Jones described as a "learning experience." Hanna Winter was the lead runner for the Illini today, placing with a 6K time of 21:30.9

"I think it was an important learning experience for us," said Coach Jones. "We want to be smart, but we were a little bit further back than [we wanted to be], and it was just hard to make up ground with the number [of runners] in this race."

Hanna Winter (161st/21:30.9) turned in her best performance on the season, besting her Roy Griak 6K time by over a full minute.

Coming off a significant role in the team's improved performance at the Roy Griak Invite last month, Audrey Blazek was the second donning the orange and blue to complete this morning's race (21:46.7)

"Audrey was our sixth runner at Minnesota, and she was our second runner [today]. I think she did a good job of plugging through."

Valerie Bobart (213th/21:47.2) and Britten Petrey (225th/21.54.5) were the next two Illini to come through the chute, with Denise Branch (237th/22:00.6) following as the fifth to cross the finish line.

Megan Lemersal and Kim Seger rounded out the team's performance, finishing with times of 23:03.2 and 23:11.4, respectively.

Senior Alyssa Schneider did not compete today for precautionary reasons.

"If it was a do-or-die situation, she could have run, but it's not. We've got the meets that define our season still in front of us, so she wanted to be ready for that."

The women will return home this Friday to host the Illini Open at 4pm. It will serve as the final tune up before Big Ten Championships on November 1.

Team Results (out of 45):

1. Michigan – 131
2. Colorado – 151
3. Oregon – 175
43. ILLINOIS – 1028

Individual Results (out of 311):

161. Hanna Winter, 21:30.9

212. Audrey Blazek, 21:46.7

213. Valerie Bobart, 21:47.2

225. Britten Petrey, 21.54.5

237. Denise Branch, 22:00.6

304. Megan Lemersal, 23:03.2

305. Kim Seger, 23:11.4