November 17, 2003
USI runners ready for return trip
The University of Southern Indiana women’s cross country team is making its final preparations for the NCAA II National Championships, which are scheduled for this Saturday, November 22, in Cary, North Carolina. The Screaming Eagles are making their second consecutive trip to the national championships after finishing third at the NCAA II Great Lakes Regional Championships on November 8.
A year ago, the Eagles battled through poor weather conditions to post a 14th-place finish at the national championships in Allendale, Michigan.
This Saturday, USI will rely on a familiar face to the national championship scene. Senior Jenny Farmer (Princeton, Indiana) is making her fourth appearance at the NCAA II Cross Country Championships after finishing fourth at the regional championships.
Farmer led the Eagles at the 2002 championships with a 6k time of 23:09.9, a time that placed her 45th in the competition.
The 2003 championships will be held at the SAS Soccer Park in Cary, which should be familiar ground for Farmer and the Eagles. USI finished third in the University Division of the Great American Cross Country Festival in September with Farmer and sophomore Heather Cooksey (Brownsburg, Indiana) finishing sixth and seventh, respectively.
Farmer finished the Great American Cross Country Festival 5k-coures in a time of 19:12.4, while Cooksey crossed the finish line in 19:17.9.
Since competing at the 2002 national championships, both Cooksey and Farmer have tasted success on the national level. The two earned All-America honors in both the 3,000 and 5,000-meters this past spring.
USI also should benefit from a healthy Casey Schneider (New Salisbury, Indiana). Schneider battled through illness during the first part the season and has been strong for USI during the stretch run. She finished fourth at the GLVC Championships and 11th at the Great Lakes Regional Championships.
The Eagles will practice Tuesday and Wednesday at 3 p.m. before departing for Cary Thursday morning. For more information, contact the USI Sports Information Office at (812) 465-1121 or (812) 465-1622.
Dan McDonnell,
USI Sports Information
