The Midwest Regional Championships occurred in Stillwater, Oklahoma, Friday, hosted by last year’s champion, Oklahoma State. The Illini women’s team placed 15th out of 32 teams, whereas the men’s team placed 16th out of 30.
Graduate student Nora Wollen ended her season off leading the women’s team with a time of 21:15.4, placing 31st. Behind her were junior Avril Andre and freshman Mireya Bugeja with times of 21:58.7 (70th) and 22:29.0 (105th), respectively.
The men’s team competed in their first 10k of the season. The same three runners who led the Illini at the Big Ten championship led the way Friday. Graduate student Joshua Daggett once again placed first for the team with a time of 31:58.0 (52nd). Redshirt freshman Adam Patel placed second with a time of 32:30.3 (75th). Freshman Pol Molins, who crossed the line at 32:40.3 (82nd), fell into third place for the Illini.
The Illinois men’s team lost to Iowa by six points, despite beating them by 48 points at the Big Ten championship. With this being the first 10k race for the team, the increase in distance is likely the cause for the reversal in order.
The women’s team had a very tight race with the Hawkeyes. Totaling 423 points, Illinois beat out Iowa by only one point. Senior Audrey Ginsberg passed Iowa’s senior Rowan Boulter over the last 1100m, moving up 18 places, finishing with a time of 22:34.0 (114th).
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Oklahoma State swept at home, winning both the men’s and women’s races. This marks the second year in a row the Cowboys have swept. On the women’s side, Northwestern and on the men’s, Iowa State, will be heading to nationals alongside Oklahoma State, with both teams placing second.
This marks the end of the season for both Illinois squads, with no runners placing well enough for an at-large qualification.
