June 21, 2007
Eagles add Bartelt, Vest into mix
EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The University of Southern Indiana women's cross country/track and field team announced the signing of freshmen Holly Bartelt (Huntingburg, Indiana) and Kristi Vest (Pekin, Indiana) to national letters of intent. They are the first two to sign with Head Coach Mike Hillyard's Screaming Eagles this spring.
Bartelt graduated from Heritage Hills High School in Lincoln, Indiana, where she earned nine letters in cross country, swimming, and track. She helped HHHS's cross country team to a conference title as a sophomore in 2004.
A four-time All-Conference competitor in cross country, Bartelt won the sectional championship in 2003 and 2006. Her senior season on the cross country course was a banner year as she finished second at the Bedford North Lawrence Regional and sixth at the Bloomington North Semi-State. She was 75th at the IHSAA State Championship meet.
"Holly has followed our program closely for quite a while as her sister, Cassie, was a big part of two NCAA National teams here," Hillyard said. "We are fortunate and excited that she has decided to continue her running career at USI."
Vest was a four-time sectional champion at Eastern High School (Pekin, Indiana) where she earned 11 varsity letters in cross country, basketball, softball, volleyball, and track. Vest qualified for the state meet in cross country after winning the Eastern Regional and finishing eighth at the Bloomington North Semi-State. She was 74th at the IHSAA State Championship meet.
On the track, Vest qualified for the state meet in the 400 meters as a freshman, the 800 meters as a sophomore and junior, and the 1,600 meters as a senior.
"Kristi is a late bloomer with huge upside," Hillyard said. "Coming from a relatively obscure high school program, Kristi will have the opportunity to train with a talented group for the first time. She is excited about the challenges that lay ahead, and we are excited to see where her potential take her.
"Both Holly and Kristi have the potential to make an immediate impact," Hillyard predicted. "However, with a lot of returning talent up front, there will not be too much pressure on them to contribute right away."
Dan McDonnell,
USI Sports Information
