The past two weeks of practice helped the Illini earn a fifth place finish out of 19 teams at the Cowboy Jamboree in Stillwater, Okla.

The hilly terrain of the Oklahoma State University cross-country course did not slow the Illini on Saturday because during the week prior to the race, Illinois focused on running hills.

"One day we ran six 1,000 meters uphill," said junior Casie Simpson. "Throughout the race, I thought about the hills that I ran during the workout and knew I could do it."

According to junior Jaime Turilli, the hills the team ran during practice were identical to the ones at the Oklahoma course, which helped her during the race.

Finishing times on the Oklahoma State course were very similar to the ones the women received throughout the season on flat courses.

"I ran practically the same time on Saturday as I did at the Michigan State course, and this weekend's race was more challenging," Turilli said.

The top four runners for Illinois finished within 13 seconds of one another. Freshman Cassie Hunt led the pack of Illini with an overall 17th-place finish with a time of 22 minutes in the 6,000 meter course. Turilli and Simpson finished 24th and 26th, while freshman Pam Wolf finished 27th in Cowgirl territory.

"Jaime, Pam and I ran together throughout most of the race," Simpson said. "It was great to be with a pack of teammates."

The final Illini to score were freshman Lisa Phillips, who finished 50th, sophomore Tabitha Volling, who finished 64th, and freshman Melissa Bosslet, who placed 67th. Sophomore Ellie Pinzarrone and freshman Jenni Brdecka rounded up the pack for the Illini.

Freshmen Sammie Polock and Stephanie Simms did not compete at Stillwater because of injuries. Polock will redshirt for the rest of the season because of a hip injury.

"She finally knows why her hip is bothering her," said head coach Karen Harvey. "The injury is not serious and not something to be worried about. She'll be ready to run track in the spring."

Simms planned to compete in the next race on Oct. 18.

One of the team's top competitors Saturday was Southwest Missouri State. The Bears finished third in the meet overall with 129 points. Although the Illini's fifth place finish didn't top Southwest Missouri State, the women did pass some of the Southwest Missouri runners at the end of the race.

"We wanted to be close with the Southwest Missouri State runners and we were," Simpson said. "Pam and I passed a lot of people within the last 1,000 meters of the course."

The Illini will be traveling back to Oklahoma State on Nov. 15 to race at the NCAA Regional Meet.

"We're going to work on our fitness level for the Regional Meet," Simpson said. "By the time Regionals come, (head coach) Harv will have us ready to peak. From now until then, we will be getting in good practices."

Turilli agreed the team was going to keep doing what they have been doing to prepare for the meet.