CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Four members of the Northern Illinois University cross country team competed in the Illini Open on Friday evening. Sophomore Meagan Biddle (Hoffman Estates, Ill./Hoffman Estates) was the highest finishing of the Huskie quartet with a time of 19:36.4 over the six kilometer course. 

Biddle was the first of the Huskies across the line, finishing 33rd overall, just ahead of sophomore Maggie Cavanaugh (Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton Warrenville South) who finished 34th in a time of 19:38.1. Sophomore Ryan Block (Knoxville, Ill./Knoxville) finished in a time of 21:25.6 to take 64th while sophomore Sarah Virgo (Verona, Ill./Seneca) claimed 67th in a time of 22:24.2. With just four runners competing, NIU did not factor in the team scoring. 

Running unattached, Ericka Hibser (Lewistown, Ill./Lewistown) finished second overall in a time of 18:19.4, behind only meet winner Mary Abramson of Purdue who posted a time of 18:05.5.

NIU will next be in action on Saturday, October 27, when it competes in the Mid-American Conference Championships in Toledo, Ohio. The conference meet, held at Ottawa Park Golf Course, will begin at 10 a.m. CT. 

NIU Individual Finishes
33. Meagan Biddle, 19:36.4
34. Maggie Cavanaugh, 19:38.1
64. Ryan Block, 21:25.6
67. Sarah Virgo, 22:24.2