SAVOY, Ill. – Brittney Burak broke the Indiana State program record in the 4k for a second consecutive year Friday evening, leading the way for the Sycamores at the season-opening Fighting Illini Invitational.
 
Burak ran a time of 13:33.3 to finish fifth in the field, breaking her own program record that she set in last season's Fighting Illini Invitational by more than 10 seconds. It also marked the third straight season that Indiana State's 4k program record fell in the season opener, as Emma Gresham also accomplished the feat in 2024. Indiana State finished third as a team, with the Sycamores' entire top five placing in the top 20 in the field.
 
Halle Miller followed with the second-fastest time for Indiana State, as her 14:04.1 placed her 15th overall and moved her into the top five in program history in the event. Katy Green cracked the top 10 in program history in her collegiate debut with her time of 14:05.5, while Hadley Gradolf (14:05.7) and Eve Schurr (14:09.7) also moved up the program top-10 ranks with their performances, as all three placed in the top 20 in the field.
 
Emersyn Bland and Lily Rollings ran program top-20 times of 14:24.4 and 14:24.9, respectively, with Rollings' time coming in her collegiate debut. Gnister Grant placed in the top 30 with her time of 14:37.9, while the trio of Robyn Schemel (15:00.8), Kamilla Gibson (15:08.0) and Hallie Mimbela (15:09.2) all carded top-40 finishes.
 
A pair of underclassmen led the way for the Blue and White in the men's 6k, as Mason Nobles clocked a time of 18:35.0 to finish 16th and Andrew Straley crossed the line in 18:44.0 to finish 19th in his collegiate debut. The Sycamores finished fifth as a team, with Indiana State's top five all finishing in the top 25.
 
Ryan York and Henry McMurry were the next two Trees across the lines with times of 18:49.4 and 18:50.8, respectively, while Ryan Handy added a top-25 finish at 18:52.7. Chris Angeles (19:04.3) and Brandon Mueller (19:04.6) carded top-30 finishes for the Sycamores, as did Emerson Fayman with his time of 19:11.6. Xander Fackler (19:29.1), Parker Mimbela (19:31.3), Alex Alvarez (19:57.5) and Jcim Grant (20:28.1) rounded out the Sycamore contingent in Friday's opener.
 
Illinois claimed the team titles on both sides, finishing with 28 points on the women's side and 20 points on the men's side. Saint Louis' Oliwia Wawrzyniak placed first in the women's 4k, while Illinois' Wilson Georges took home the top spot in the men's 6k.
 
Indiana State Results (Men's 6K/Women's 4K)
WOMEN: 3rd of 5 teams (4-12-13-14-17-(21)-(22)) – 60 points
5. Brittney Burak – 13:33.3 (program record)
15. Halle Miller – 14:04.1 (fifth in program history)
16. Katy Green – 14:05.5 (sixth in program history)
17. Hadley Gradolf – 14:05.7 (seventh in program history)
20. Eve Schurr – 14:09.7 (ninth in program history)
24. Emersyn Bland – 14:24.4 (12th in program history
25. Lily Rollings – 14:24.9 (13th in program history)
29. Gnister Grant – 14:37.9
37. Robyn Schemel – 15:00.8
38. Kamilla Gibson – 15:08.0
39. Hallie Mimbela – 15:09.2
 
MEN: 5th of 5 teams (16-19-22-23-25-(27)-(28)) – 105 points
16. Mason Nobles – 18:35.0
19. Andrew Straley – 18:44.0
22. Ryan York – 18:49.4
23. Henry McMurry – 18:50.8
25. Ryan Handy – 18:52.7
27. Chris Angeles – 19:04.3
28. Brandon Mueller – 19:04.6
30. Emerson Fayman – 19:11.6
34. Xander Fackler – 19:29.1
35. Parker Mimbela – 19:31.3
38. Alex Alvarez – 19:57.5
40. Jcim Grant – 20:28.1
 
Up Next
Indiana State plays host to the first of three regular season meets at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course September 19, welcoming some of the top talent in the nation for the John McNichols Invitational.
 
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