Sept. 3, 2009

URBANA, Ill. - The Fighting Illini men's cross country team is set to host the annual Illini Challenge this Friday, September 4. The 6K race is set to follow the women's race and begin at 5:30 p.m at the UI Arboretum in Urbana.

The Orange and Blue will be facing five other squads, made up of Danville Area Community College, Illinois CC Club, ISU, Robert Morris and Southern Illinois - Edwardsville. A victory this weekend would mark the fifth consecutive year that the Illini have captured the title at the annual meet. Last season, Jeremy Stevens took the individual title with a 6K time of 18:46.51, followed by six fellow Illini who finished among the top seven competitors overall.

"Our fitness level is high after a strong summer training camp and I am excited to see what the team has to showcase at the meet," cross country coach Wendel McRaven said. "We are looking to use Friday's race to give a chance to those guys who have something to prove and are looking for an opportunity to travel down the road."

A group of nine Illini will make their season debuts this Friday, but Coach McRaven holds off some of the squad's top returnees for the Illinois Intercollegiate Championships in two weeks.

Following this weekend's meet, the Illini will have a weekend off before heading to Normal, Ill. to race at the Illinois Intercollegiate Championships on September 18.