It’s that time of the year again – when collegiate cross country is competing at the highest level and runners give their all for success in the Big Ten, Midwest and National championships.

For some members of the Illinois men’s and women’s cross country teams, however, Friday will be the conclusion of their individual season.

The Orange and Blue host the Illini Open this Friday at the UI Arboretum. It will be the final chance for runners on the bubble to push their way into contention for the Big Ten meet on Nov. 2. For those who don’t prove themselves for Big Ten, their seasons will end at the finish line at the Arboretum.

“The purpose of the meet is to give those individuals another shot of running,” women’s head coach Jeremy Rasmussen said. “One, to see if they are able to make the Big Ten squad, and two, being able to give them a race later on in the season, so their season isn’t really front-loaded with races.”

The No. 10 Illini women will face competition from Illinois State and Northwestern, though the main competition will be between each other as the 10 Orange and Blue runners fight for those final spots on the Championship squad.

“I think that Kate Tysse, Maggie Mulchrone and Ashley Thompson have been running well this year,” Rasmussen said. “I think they’re going to have to run exceptionally well to crack into the top nine, but there’s no reason that they can’t do that.”

Immediately following the women’s race, the men’s team will compete against Illinois State and the Illinois club cross country team. Much like the women’s race, the competition will be between teammates.

“Chris DeSilva has been in our top seven this year a couple times,” men’s head coach Wendel McRaven said. “He’s battled a little bit of a shin issue, missed some training time, wasn’t able to compete. He’s a guy who has a chance to compete in the Big Ten meet. He needs to get a race under his belt to see where he’s at.”

Freshman DeSilva won’t be the only runner fighting for the final spot. Fellow freshman Nathan Bohne has also caught the coach’s attention and may earn a call-up to the Big Ten squad.

“If I can prove I’m able to run, maybe he’ll put me back on the varsity squad for Big Ten,” DeSilva said. “This is kind of my last shot.”