McLean County Times

The Illinois Wesleyan University men's and women's cross country teams are preparing to compete in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Championships, which will be held on Saturday, November 1 at Saukie Golf Course in Rock Island, Illinois. The men's 8k race is scheduled for noon, followed by the women's race at 12:45 p.m.

According to the CCIW Pre-Championship Coaches Poll released on October 30, the IWU women's team is predicted to finish second for the third consecutive year. The Titans received 57 points and two first-place votes as they aim for their first conference title since 2012. Wheaton College leads the poll with 63 points and seven first-place votes. Elmhurst holds third place with 49 points, while North Central and Millikin round out the top five.

Throughout this season, Illinois Wesleyan and Wheaton have been close competitors in the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Midwest regional rankings. As of October 21, IWU ranks tenth in the region while Wheaton is ranked eighth.

On the men's side, IWU was selected fifth in the pre-championship poll after earning 32 points—one position higher than last year's finish. North Central is favored to win with all eight first-place votes and a total of 64 points. Carthage follows with one first-place vote and 56 points; Wheaton (51) and Millikin (39) are next.

Senior Crabtree (Normal, Ill.-University High), who won last year's individual CCIW Championship, seeks to become the first Titan to win multiple titles at this event. Last season she finished third at the championship meet. This year Crabtree set a program record time of 21:32.3 at the Redbird Invite on September 12, has claimed three event victories during the season, and has been named CCIW Runner of the Week five times.

Crabtree's teammates include senior Hodel (Batavia, Ill.-Batavia) and sophomore Arvanitis (Glen Ellyn, Ill.-Glenbard West), both Second Team All-CCIW honorees from last year. Freshman Fagan (Spring Grove, Ill.-Richmond Burton) will make her championship debut after consistently finishing among IWU’s top three runners this season.

On the men’s team, senior Johnson (Lake Barrington, Ill.-Barrington) recorded a personal best time of 26:26.8 at Saukie Golf Course during an invitational on October 18 and finished in the top-25 there previously. Senior Tarter (Mount Vernon, Ill.-Webber) returns as IWU’s highest finisher from last year’s championship after placing thirty-sixth. Last season Mayfield was IWU's only All-CCIW men's runner.

Live results from Rock Island will be available online following each race; official results will also be posted on Illinois Wesleyan’s cross country webpage once all events conclude.