Carbondale Reporter

The Southern Illinois University (SIU) cross country teams are set to begin their 2025 season at the Fighting Illini Invitational in Savoy, Illinois, on Friday, August 29. The event will take place at the Orange and Blue Golf Course, with the women's 4K race starting at 11:00 a.m., followed by the men's 6K race at 11:30 a.m.

The SIU women's team features eight runners: Ellary Blakey (freshman), Audrey Boles (senior), Brodie Denny (junior), Kyla Engel (sophomore), Savanna Franzen (freshman), Riley Linville (sophomore), Hannah Meiser (junior), and Allyson Niedfeldt (sophomore). On the men's side, the roster includes Ben Chance (sophomore), Parker Davidson (freshman), Brady Faulkner (freshman), Will Foltz (sophomore), Calen George (freshman), Weston Jokerst (senior), Kyle Kato (freshman), and Drew Twyman (freshman).

This meet will mark the collegiate debut for seven freshmen across both teams. Among returning athletes, Hannah Meiser and Audrey Bolles lead the women after achieving personal bests at last year's Missouri Valley Conference Championship. For the men, Weston Jokerst and Ben Chance finished strong in last season's MVC Championships and aim to continue that momentum into this year.

SIU will compete against teams from Illinois, Bradley, Illinois State, and Northern Illinois during this opening meet.

Looking ahead to the rest of their schedule, SIU is slated for three additional meets before participating in the MVC Championships. One of these meets is scheduled as the Oscar Moore Invitational in Carbondale. The team will also travel to Louisville, Kentucky, and Evansville, Indiana for road competitions before returning to Evansville for conference championships. They are also expected to participate in the NCAA Midwest Regional Championship in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Live results from Friday’s races can be accessed online. Updates about SIU cross country can be found on X (@SIUTrackXC), Instagram (@SIUTrackXC) and Facebook (@SalukiTrackAndField).