Mickow paces Illinois to 10th place finish
Source: FightingIllini.com
Posted: Saturday, November 14, 2009 6:11:00 PM EST
Published: Saturday, November 14, 2009 6:13:17 PM EST
Posted: Saturday, November 14, 2009 6:11:00 PM EST
Published: Saturday, November 14, 2009 6:13:17 PM EST
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Fighting Illini men's cross country team wrapped up the 2009 season at the NCAA Midwest Regional Championships on Saturday at the Missouri State Cross Country Course. The squad placed 10th of 25 teams in the 10K race. Sophomore Colin Mickow earned All-Region accolades with an 18th place finish overall to lead the Illini for the sixth time this season.
"Colin Mickow had a phenomenal race," cross country coach Wendel McRaven said. "He put himself in position from the start to run with the lead pack and from there, he executed the race plan. The team ran into some problems in the third quarter of the race, and we didn't finish as well as we have all season."
Crossing the finish line second for the Orange and Blue and 57th overall was sophomore Jim Riddle with a time of 32:40. Finishing right behind Riddle was freshman Tom Achtien in 58th with a time of 32:41. Rounding out the Illini scoring were sophomores Nate Troester and Kyle Engnell, finishing 72nd and 87th overall, respectively.
The Orange and Blue finished 10th place overall with 278 total team points. Oklahoma State took the team title with 50 points while junior Hassan Mead of Minnesota took home the individual title with a 10K time of 30:21.
"Although we did not finish how we thought we were ready to, we got some good experience as a team," McRaven said. "This is a young team, and we will continue to learn and grow together to prepare for next season."
Mickow is on the bubble to qualify for an individual bid to the NCAA National Championships, which will be held on Monday, Nov. 23 in Terre Haute, Ind. Qualifiers for Nationals will be announced on Sunday, Nov. 15th by 7:00 p.m.
TEAM RESULTS (TOP 15)
1. Oklahoma State 50
2. Oklahoma 71
3. Iowa State 109
4. Minnesota 125
5. Southern Illinois 160
6. Iowa 170
7. Tulsa 174
8. Nebraska 248
9. Kansas 252
10. Illinois 278
11. Missouri 302
12. Illinois State 333
13. South Dakota State 375
14. Loyola (Ill.) 400
15. Illinois-Chicago 452
"Colin Mickow had a phenomenal race," cross country coach Wendel McRaven said. "He put himself in position from the start to run with the lead pack and from there, he executed the race plan. The team ran into some problems in the third quarter of the race, and we didn't finish as well as we have all season."
Crossing the finish line second for the Orange and Blue and 57th overall was sophomore Jim Riddle with a time of 32:40. Finishing right behind Riddle was freshman Tom Achtien in 58th with a time of 32:41. Rounding out the Illini scoring were sophomores Nate Troester and Kyle Engnell, finishing 72nd and 87th overall, respectively.
The Orange and Blue finished 10th place overall with 278 total team points. Oklahoma State took the team title with 50 points while junior Hassan Mead of Minnesota took home the individual title with a 10K time of 30:21.
"Although we did not finish how we thought we were ready to, we got some good experience as a team," McRaven said. "This is a young team, and we will continue to learn and grow together to prepare for next season."
Mickow is on the bubble to qualify for an individual bid to the NCAA National Championships, which will be held on Monday, Nov. 23 in Terre Haute, Ind. Qualifiers for Nationals will be announced on Sunday, Nov. 15th by 7:00 p.m.
TEAM RESULTS (TOP 15)
1. Oklahoma State 50
2. Oklahoma 71
3. Iowa State 109
4. Minnesota 125
5. Southern Illinois 160
6. Iowa 170
7. Tulsa 174
8. Nebraska 248
9. Kansas 252
10. Illinois 278
11. Missouri 302
12. Illinois State 333
13. South Dakota State 375
14. Loyola (Ill.) 400
15. Illinois-Chicago 452
