5 O'Clock Shadow
Angela Bizzarri became the first female cross-country runner in Illini history to win an NCAA title Monday.
The senior ran the fastest 6-kilometer time of her career - 19 minutes, 46.8 seconds - to finish nearly five seconds in front of runner-up Kendra Schaaf of Washington. Schaaf, a sophomore, crossed in 19:51.6.
“It’s a great way to end my senior season," Bizzarri said. "It was really an unexpected thing. I wasn't expected to win going into it. It’s really great."
Bizzarri's previous best time in a 6K race was 19:59. The four-time cross-country All-American also owns an NCAA title in track in the 5,000 meters, which she won last spring.
Bizzarri's national crown is the second by an Illini runner in the sport. Craig Virgin finished first in 1975.
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