CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illinois men’s and women’s cross country teams announced their upcoming 2024 schedule on Friday (July 26). The Fighting Illini schedule features seven meets, with four regular season and three postseason races on tap. The Orange and Blue will be the first to host the new 18-team Big Ten Championships later this season on Nov. 1.
All seven of Illinois’ meets will take place in either Illinois or Wisconsin this season. The schedule opens on Friday, Sept. 6 with the Badger Classic in Madison, Wis. They follow up one week later (Sept. 13) with the first of two home meets, the Fighting Illini Big Ten Preview, at the Orange and Blue Golf Course in Savoy, Ill. This meet will serve as a preview for the facilities used during the conference championships later in the season.
Following the Fighting Illini Big Ten Preview, the Illini have a week off before returning to Madison on Friday, Sept. 27, for the Nuttycombe Invite. Two weeks later, the Orange and Blue return to Madison to conclude the regular season at Pre Nationals, Saturday, Oct. 19.
The postseason begins when the Illini host the Big Ten Cross Country Championships on Friday, Nov. 1 at the Orange and Blue Golf Course in Savoy. This marks the first time since 2011 that the U of I has hosted the Big Ten Cross Country Championships (UI Arboretum), and the first time since 2001 that the conference championships were last decided at the Orange and Blue Golf Course.
The NCAA Midwest Regionals are slated for Friday, Nov. 15 in Peoria, Ill. The season concludes with the NCAA Championships on Saturday, Nov. 23 in Madison.
Illinois cross country is under new direction for the 2024 season with head coach Eric Johannigmeier returning to his alma mater after a seven-year stint in the same role at Virginia Tech. During his time at Virginia Tech, Johannigmeier coached 110 All-Americans to 17 ACC team championships and 63 ACC individual or relay titles. He also led Virginia Tech to 25 top-25 finishes at the NCAA Championships, highlighted by seven top-10 performances. Johanningmeier has also added assistant coach Chase Kappeler, who he coached for four seasons with the Hokies.
The Fighting Illini roster features one returning all-region runner in senior Halle Hill who took 16th at the NCAA Midwest Regionals (21:00.8). On the men’s side, Alex Partlow…
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