October 17, 2007
Eagles looking to capture GLVC crown
EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The No. 19 University of Southern Indiana women's cross country team is looking for its fourth conference title and first since 2003 when it competes at the GLVC Championships Saturday in Indianapolis, Indiana.
USI, which has finished second at the league meet the last three seasons, is looking to snap No. 8 University of Wisconsin-Parkside's streak of three straight GLVC crowns. The Screaming Eagles, who have overcome significant injuries at the top of their lineup, also are looking to extend a streak of three straight GLVC individual titles.
Former USI All-American Heather Cooksey won the GLVC championship in 2004 and 2005, while junior Allison Shafer (Plainville, Indiana) captured the individual crown last season. Shafer has missed the entire season due to an injury.
Sophomore Mary Ballinger (Chesterton, Indiana) and junior Marcia Weflen (Rossville, Indiana) have been the Eagles' top two runners all season. Ballinger ranks second in the league with her season-best 6k time of 22 minutes, 39.38 seconds, while Weflen is fifth in the conference with a season-best 6k time of 23 minutes, 35.80 seconds.
The GLVC Championships will take place at Butler University's Varsity Fields and begin with the women's race at 8:30 a.m. (CDT). The men's race follows at 9:30 a.m. (CDT).
Dan McDonnell,
USI Sports Information
