September 1, 2004
Cross Country
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY PICKED TO FINISH FOURTH IN MVC;
MEN TABBED SIXTH

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The head women’s cross country coaches of the Missouri Valley Conference have picked the Indiana State Sycamores to finish fourth in preseason balloting. ISU’s men’s squad was chosen seventh by the head men’s cross country coaches of the MVC.

Southwest Missouri State was the unanimous choice to win the women’s crown, capturing all ten first-place votes, and finishing with 100 points. Southern Illinois finished second with 87 points, while Illinois State earned 74 points. The Sycamores earned 63 points, edging out Wichita State, which picked up 60 points to finish fifth.

The Sycamores return six runners from last year’s team which earned a third-place finish at the MVC Championships. Two freshmen will also vie for a spot in the lineup. “I expect the competition for the one through five spots to be very intense,” said head coach John Gartland. “We will have a competitive situation at every practice and every meet.”

Northern Iowa was chosen to win the men’s cross country championship, garnering 84 points on the strength of six first-place votes. Drake picked up three first-place votes and came in second with 74 points. The Sycamores picked up 53 points and came in sixth.

ISU finished 2003 with a seventh-place finish at the MVC Championships in Carbondale, Ill. ISU has two seniors on the roster who will be counted on to mentor a host of underclassmen, including twelve freshmen. “I think our team will be drastically improved this year,” noted head coach John McNichols. “Our schedule will challenge us each week. Our runners will need to meet the challenge as the season unfolds.”

Both teams begin the season on Saturday, September 11, when the Sycamores host the Indiana State Invitational at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course.