With two top runners struggling to complete the race, the Illinois men’s cross country team placed 15th in the Roy Griak Invitational in Minneapolis, Minn. Saturday.

“We finished 15th without some of our top guys,” said Illinois head coach Paul Pilkington. “Overall it was an OK effort; I was especially pleased with Jason (Bill).”

It was the first race of the season for Bill, a junior who led the Illini in every run he participated in last year.

Bill finished the 8,000-meter race in a personal-best time of 24:36, coming in tenth in the 223-runner field.

“The guys that Jason ran with were the top in the country,” Pilkington said. “It’s pleasing to see him race well against the top competition.”

Bill continues to battle back and side problems, but Pilkington said he is much healthier this year than last, which can be seen in his impressive finish.

“The trainers are working with him,” Pilkington said. “He had an outstanding race. In a very loaded field he had a very good race.”

The 25-team field included ten of the top 30 teams in the country, including No. 1-ranked Wisconsin. The Badgers easily took the top spot, sweeping the top three positions and placing five total runners in the top eight.

NCAA champion Robert Cheseret of Arizona placed fifth in the race, crossing the finish line 22 seconds ahead of Bill.

Illinois freshman Maciej Sniegorski raced while hiding a battle with the stomach flu, finishing in 27:01 for 141st place. Coaches had initially believed Sniegorski was suffering from dehydration.

“When we got back he was sick; he’s been sick all (Sunday) night and went to the doctor,” Pilkington said. “It wasn’t dehydration as we had though, apparently he’d had the flu before he started the race but didn’t tell anyone.”

The Illini also lost junior Jon Houseworth during the race. Houseworth was stepped on just after the 2000 meter-mark, and was unable to complete the run.

“He really sliced the top of his foot up,” Pilkington said. “He’s pulled all his calf muscles.”

Because two of the Illini’s top runners were not scored, the team placed lower than expected.

“In cross country they score the top five, so we had a disadvantage,” Pilkington said. “It hurt us point-wise.”