September 13, 2006
Eagles looking to capture "Little State" crowns
EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The University of Southern Indiana men's and women's cross country teams are looking to recapture the "Little State" crowns when they run in the Indiana Intercollegiate Friday in Terre Haute, Indiana.
Both squads are looking for their first "Little State" titles since 2003. The men were third in the "Little State" competition, sixth overall, last year while the women were third in the "Little State" and seventh overall.
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Allison Shafer |
USI's women, ranked sixth in the latest Division II national poll, are led by a strong trio that includes seniors
Missy Burgin (Sellersburg, Indiana) and
Katy Simutis (Mt. Vernon, Indiana) in addition to sophomore
Allie Shafer (Plainville, Indiana).
Shafer, who was named the GLVC Runner of the Week last Wednesday, is coming off an impressive performance at the USI Alumni Opener in which she captured the individual title with a course-record 4k time of 13:59.00. Burgin was second with a time of 14:08.00 and Simutis was third with a mark of 14:13.00 as the Screaming Eagles captured the team title.
 |
Rey Alvarez |
USI's men, ranked 11th in the latest Division II national poll, also captured the team title at the USI Alumni Opener. Senior
Rey Alvarez (Danville, Illinois) led the Eagles with a third-place performance and a 6k time of 18:01.00, while sophomore
Tim Sirbek (Hammond, Indiana) was sixth with a 6k time of 18:36.00.
The men's team will be benefit from the return of junior
Paul Jellema (Dyer, Indiana), who did not compete in the USI Alumni Opener. Jellema was an All-GLVC and All-Region performer in 2005.
Following the Indiana Intercollegiate, the Eagles compete in the Louisville Cardinal Classic September 30 and the Saluki Invitational in Carbondale, Illinois, October 7.
Dan McDonnell,
USI Sports Information
