There was one freshman on last year's Illinois women's cross-country team. There are 11 this year. Roughly two-thirds of this year's squad is composed of these newcomers.

The large turnout this season can be accredited to head coach Karen Harvey and the effort she put into recruiting the newest running class.

"I recruited my brains out," Harvey said.

According to freshman Lisa Phillips, Harvey's style of recruiting largely impacted her decision to choose Illinois.

"I wasn't expecting to come to Illinois for an official visit," Phillips said. "But when I did, (coach) Harv gave me every bit of attention as she did everyone else."

While on her official visit, Phillips participated in activities with the team such as watching movies, playing games and running.

"It was good to see the team's chemistry — how they interacted with each other," she said. "Anyone can seem friendly on a first impression, but everyone genuinely cared about me and where I was coming from and what my interests were."

Phillips is part of this season's first recruiting class for the Illini under Harvey.

"My kids are here now and these kids want to be good," Harvey said. "All I care about is that they are very competitive and they want to be good, so we will be."

These women have risen to the challenges this season has brought them. They have stepped up during races and shown their talent by leading their team.

Freshman Stephanie Simms placed second for the Illini and sixth overall Sept. 6 at the Missouri Cross Country Challenge in Columbia, Mo. She finished the 5,000 meter run in 18 minutes and 44.73 seconds.

The trio of Sammie Polock, Cassie Hunt and Pam Wolf led the Illini to a fifth place finish Sept. 12 at the 18th annual Bradley Open in Peoria, Ill. On Sept. 19, Hunt and Simms finished 10th and 11th respectively at the Spartan Invitational to lead the Illini throughout the race. Hunt, Simms and Wolf placed highest as freshmen at the meet.

In their most recent meet, the Cowboy Jamboree in Stillwater, Okla., on Oct.4, Hunt once again led the Illini with a 17th overall finish out of 162 runners competing in the meet.

These women came to Illinois from different backgrounds. Some of them have come to the Illini from large teams, while others have not.

Hunt came from North Patnam High School in Roachdale, Ind., and her team at North Patnam was small. She did not have girls on her team that competed at the same level as she did. Therefore, coming to a team of 17 girls was definitely a change.

"I have a pack of girls to run with during meets, which is a change for what I'm used to," Hunt said.

According to Hunt, she has had great practices at Illinois because her teammates push her to perform better, which she was unable to experience while in high school.

Harvey is very excited for what is to come in the future of this talented running class.

"I can see two of my freshmen being contenders for Big Ten freshman of the year," Harvey said. "I wouldn't be surprised if within the next couple of years some of these freshmen finish first in the Big Ten."