CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Fighting Illini men’s and women’s cross country teams will host the Big Ten Championships on Friday (Nov. 1) at the Orange and Blue Golf Course in Savoy Ill. The women’s 6K run is scheduled to begin at 10:35 a.m., followed by the men’s 8K run at 11:35 a.m. with the awards ceremony at 12:30 p.m. CT

For the first time, this year’s championships will feature 15 men’s teams and 18 women’s teams, including Big Ten newcomers Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington.

The Illinois men’s team had its best performance of the year at the Pre-Nationals in Madison, Wisconsin, where it placed 2nd out of 25 teams. Junior Alex Partlow continued to lead the way for the Orange and Blue in the 8K with an 11th place finish (24:16.4).

The women’s team opened its season with a first-place finish at the Badger Classic in Madison, Wisconsin, and placed eighth out of 28 teams at the Pre-Nationals. Illinois was led by Senior this year Hall Hill and in the second year Avril André who have been the Illini’s top-two finishers in the last three meetings. Hill’s second-place finish (20:11.5) at the Fighting Illini Big Ten Preview was considered the highest finish by any Illini in the regular season and was also her personal best in the 6K.

Including Hill, a total of 10 Illini set personal bests during the Fighting Illini Big Ten preview, also held at the Orange and Blue Golf Course. In the men’s 8km run it was the seniors Tyler Cushing (24:05.5), and Anthony Maida (24:09.6), Partlow (23:51.1), juniors Brady Masters (24:02.0), Will Merrick (24:16.0) and Shawn Juliette (25:40.3). In the women’s 6K it was Hill, a junior Audrey Ginsberg (23:05.9), Andre (20:33.4) and sophomore Mabry Bruhn (21:55.4).

Fans can watch the action on BTN, view live stats and find more information on the Big Ten Cross Country Championships page.