2024 Illinois cross country scheduled released: key dates and competitions

CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – The Illinois men’s and women’s cross country teams have unveiled their 2024 schedule, featuring seven meets, including four regular season and three postseason events. Notably, the Fighting Illini will host the inaugural 18-team Big Ten Championships on November 1.

Illinois’ seven meets this season will be held in Illinois or Wisconsin. The season kicks off with the Badger Classic in Madison, Wisconsin, on Friday, September 6. The action continues on September 13 with the Fighting Illini Big Ten Preview at the Orange and Blue Golf Course in Savoy, which also serves as a preview of the conference championship facilities.

After the Fighting Illini Big Ten Preview, the team will take a week’s break, then head back to Madison for the Nuttycombe Invite on Friday, September 27. They will return once more to Madison to wrap up the regular season at the Pre Nationals on Saturday, October 19.

The postseason kicks off with the Illini hosting the Big Ten Cross Country Championships at the Orange and Blue Golf Course in Savoy on Friday, Nov. 1. It’s the first time since 2011 that the event has been hosted at the U of I (previously at the UI Arboretum), and the first occasion since 2001 that the championships will return to the Orange and Blue Golf Course.

The NCAA Midwest Regionals are scheduled for Friday, November 15, in Peoria. The season will culminate with the NCAA Championships on Saturday, November 23, in Madison.

The Illinois cross country team welcomes a new era in 2024 with head coach Eric Johannigmeier at the helm, returning to his alma mater after seven successful years at Virginia Tech. There, he guided 110 All-Americans to 17 ACC team titles and 63 individual or relay crowns. His tenure included 25 top-25 NCAA Championship finishes, with seven in the top-10. Johannigmeier reunites with Chase Kappeler, now assistant coach, whom he mentored for four seasons at Virginia Tech.

The Fighting Illini team has senior Halle Hill, who finished 16th at the NCAA Midwest Regionals with a time of 21:00.8. Alex Partlow, a junior, placed 15th at the Big Ten Championships last season with a time of 24:47.8, just missing out on Second-Team All-Big Ten honors