PEORIA, Ill. -- After strong efforts at the ninth annual Bradley Classic, the Bradley men's and women's cross country teams will send small contingents to the Illini Open Friday in Champaign, Ill., to conclude the 2012 regular season.  The meet is the final competition for the Braves before next week's (Oct. 27) Missouri Valley Conference Championship in Normal, Ill.

The Illini Open will begin at 4 p.m. with the women's 5K at the University of Illinois Arboretum and conclude with the men's 8K race at 4:45 p.m. 

For several Braves it will likely be their final collegiate cross country race.  Senior Nick Skromme (Ottawa, Ill./Marquette) is expected to be near the front of the BU group after running a 27:42 at last week's Bradley Classic.  Skromme is one of five Bradley runners participating in the men's 8K.

On the women's side senior Chelsea Griffin (Petersburg, Ill./PORTA) turned in a then career-best time at last year's Illini Open, while junior Emily Gustafson (East Peoria, Ill./East Peoria) is coming off a strong effort at the Bradley Classic, where she finished third in the 6K College Division/Open race.

"This group has made huge improvements throughout the year," said Bradley head coach Marc Burns.  "There will be plenty of competition on Friday for them to make another big jump. We are excited to see what they can do."

Freshman Arden Betzer (Central City, Iowa/Central City) and sophomore Kyela Specht (Muster, Ind./Munster) are likely candidates to also help pace the women's team, which will have 14 participants Friday afternoon, after both individuals clocked times of 22:39 last week.