Michelle Mehnert puts plenty of distance between herself and second-place finisher Cara Feeney of St. Thomas More at Tuesday's Kickapoo Kickoff Classic. Gargoyle photo (click to enlarge)

KICKAPOO STATE PARK — Led by senior Michelle Mehnert’s first-place finish, the Uni girls cross country team defended its Kickapoo Kickoff Classic title in convincing fashion today.

Mehnert covered the 3-mile course in 20 minutes, 56 seconds. The all-state runner, who placed seventh at last year’s IHSA Class A finals, built an early lead and was never seriously challenged. St. Thomas More’s Cara Feeney finished second with a time of 21:23, followed by St. Joseph-Ogden’s Hannah Hogan at 21:34.

Despite the hot and humid conditions, the top five Uni runners dominated the standings. Besides Mehnert, the other point-scoring Illineks were:

• Elaine Gu, junior, fifth place, 21:47
• Shivani Khanna, senior, sixth place, 22:05
• Elizabeth Russell, sophomore, eighth place, 23:06
• Jennifer Roloff, senior, ninth place, 23:28

Overall, Uni won the Kickoff title with 27 points, comfortably ahead of second-place St. Joseph-Ogden. The Spartans finished with 39 points, followed by St. Thomas More (78) and Bismarck-Henning (109). Oakwood in fifth place and Judah Christian in sixth rounded out the scoring field.

The next highest-placing Uni runners were sophomores Isaure Hostetter (25:17), who finished 23rd, and Katherine Allen (25:19), who placed 24th in her first high school cross country meet.

Last year, facing less humidity, the Illineks won the Kickoff meet with the same score of 27 points. Russell won the individual title (20:34), followed by Mehnert in second (20:55). Khanna was sixth last year (21:51), and Gu was seventh (22:05). Roloff was 12th (23:23).

After placing fourth in Class A at the 2006 IHSA finals, the Illineks begin this season as one of the favorites for the top three spots at state this year, according to the Web site Illinois Prep Top Times.

2007 GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY VARSITY RESULTS

Aug. 28: Kickapoo Kickoff Classic (3 miles)

• Story: see above
• Team finish: 1st place, 27 points (out of six scoring teams)
• Top seven Uni runners: Michelle Mehnert, 1st (20:56); Elaine Gu, 5th (21:47); Shivani Khanna, 6th (22:05); Elizabeth Russell, 8th (23:06); Jennifer Roloff, 9th (23:28); Isaure Hostetter, 23rd (25:17); Katherine Allen, 24th (25:19)

Next meet: Chrisman Cow Chip Classic, Sept. 1, Chrisman H.S.; first race to begin at 9 a.m. (directions)

Senior Jennifer Roloff receives her medal for placing ninth at the Kickoff Classic. She ran the course in 23 minutes, 28 seconds. Gargoyle photo (click to enlarge)

Senior Shivani Khanna is well on her way to a top 10 finish during Tuesday's Kickoff Classic at Kickapoo State Park in Vermilion County. Khanna placed sixth with a time of 22:05 on the 3-mile course. Gargoyle photo (click to enlarge)