September 02, 2004
Eagle runners set to open season Saturday
The University of Southern Indiana men’s and women’s cross country teams will open their 2004 campaign Saturday when they take part in the University of Evansville Early Bird Invitational.
Both squads have a strong group of returnees coming back from their respective 2003 GLVC Championship teams.
Leading the men’s squad is senior Doug Schwartz (Centralia, Illinois) and junior Jesse Davis (Bloomington, Indiana). Both runners competed at the NCAA II Outdoor Track and Field Championships this past spring and are expected to compete for the GLVC individual championship this season.
Junior Heather Cooksey (Brownsburg, Indiana) leads the women’s squad in 2004. Cooksey won the national championship in the outdoor 3,000 meters last spring and has earned a total of five All-America awards in her first two years of collegiate competition.
Senior Casey Schneider (New Salisbury, Indiana) and sophomore Missy Burgin (Sellersburg, Indiana) will both be factors for the Eagles in 2004. Schneider is coming off a leg injury, but is a two-time All-GLVC and All-Region performer, while Burgin was the GLVC “Freshman of the Year” in 2003.
Both squads are under the direction of Head Coach Mike Hillyard, who was the GLVC “Coach of the Year” for both men’s and women’s cross country last year.
Dan McDonnell,
USI Sports Information
