In the fourth meet of the Illini's season, freshman cross country runner Trent Hoerr finally ran in his first college meet, finishing second on the team and 34th overall of the 222 runners at Oklahoma State.

The NCAA took away any simplicity in Hoerr's transition from high school to college running, causing him to miss the first six weeks of the season. During those six weeks, the NCAA reviewed one of Hoerr's high school English classes.

"I was real shocked and upset at the same time," Hoerr said. "I didn't realize the class would get turned down. My counselor here and at my high school said I was fine. They said I had all my requirements both here and for the NCAA."

The NCAA did not agree with Hoerr's counselors. Hoerr found out 10 days into Illinois' fall practices that he no longer could practice or compete with the team until the NCAA made a ruling about his eligibility.

Not practicing with the team didn't stop Hoerr from working hard until he received clearance to run with the Illini. During the six weeks, he showed Illinois head coach Paul Pilkington his willingness to succeed at the collegiate level.

"He did all the workouts and he was running with Eric Wallor, who's a junior college transfer, and the two of them were getting together and training," Pilkington said. "The first workout I gave him was pretty tough and he hit all the times running on his own. I knew that this kid's going to be pretty tough if he can do that alone."

Pilkington said running without a team and forcing himself through the training could not have been easy for Hoerr.

"It had to be an up and down roller coaster for him, not knowing from the NCAA," Pilkington said. "He did a great job training and being positive."

The positive attitude provided dividends when the NCAA decided Hoerr was eligible to compete on Oct. 2, the just before the Oklahoma State Cowboy Jamboree that Saturday.

The NCAA handed down an unusual ruling by rejecting Hoerr's English class, but allowing Hoerr to compete this fall.

"God had a big part in helping me," Hoerr said. "From what I understand, it never happens where if the class gets turned down that you still get approved."

When Hoerr received the call from Pilkington informing him of the NCAA's approval, the Illini had already left for Oklahoma State. Pilkington knew the NCAA would rule on Oct. 2 and left one spot for Hoerr to run. Hoerr did not pass up the chance to run in his first college race.

To get Hoerr to the meet, Dan Hoerr, his father, drove him 10 hours from Champaign to Stillwater, Okla. Hoerr received the call from Pilkington between 6 and 7 p.m. and by 8 p.m., the Hoerrs were headed to the Sooner State.

"I was really pleased," Hoerr said. "I was just glad it was all over with so I could race again."

Starting with Oklahoma State, Hoerr finished as Illinois' No. 2 runner behind sophomore standout Jason Bill in the two meets he has run in at this point in the season. At Illinois' home meet on Oct. 18, Hoerr's second place finish on the team equaled a third place overall finish.

"He's a very good competitor. He'll put himself up in it," Pilkington said. "He has the work ethic and talent. He'll eventually be a very good distance runner."

The championship season begins on Sunday for Illinois with the Big Ten Championships hosted by Michigan State. Hoerr and eight other Illinois runners will compete.

"I think we can be top five at Big Tens," Hoerr said. "I really don't know what I can do as an individual but just stay between the two and three spot on our team.

"Before the season, my goal was to be in the (team's) top five. Now that I'm running, I want to be the No. 2 or No. 3 runner consistently."

Pilkington sees Hoerr potentially finishing Sunday's Big Ten Meet as the No. 2 freshman in the conference. Only 2002 high school cross country national champion Chris Solinsky of Wisconsin prevents Hoerr from being No. 1.

"Trent is one of the best freshmen in the conference," Pilkington said. "(Hoerr) wasn't that close to (Solinsky) in high school, but I think he'll be much closer (on Sunday). Any other place in the country Trent would have a shot to be the top freshman."

Putting in the work during his six weeks away from the team helped prepare Hoerr for Sunday's race, but now success depends on achieving potential.

"I put in the work in the summer and all throughout last year; I've been in shape this year," Hoerr said. "Right now, there's really nothing we can do. We put in all the work. To have success, we just have to run fast times."