Oct. 27, 2005

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - (Thursday October 27, 2005)   The Ohio Valley Conference Cross Country Championships will be held in Charleston, Ill. on the campus of Eastern Illinois.  The men will start things off with their 8000 meter race at 10 a.m.  Then the women will start their 5000 meter race at 11 a.m. 

The men look to carry their momentum into this weekends meet.  They lost some of their best runners this year but they still seek a top three finish at the championships.

"The mens team has come a long way since the beginning of the season" says coach Eric Heins "Everyone has stepped up and the men will try to surprise some people this weekend."

Last year the men finished sixth at the championships.  Senior Gabe Lutes will look to have a strong finish in order for the men to make some noise this weekend.  Eastern Kentucky will look to defend the conference title.

The women also have some momentum going into the championships.  The women have had a good season and had their first win last weekend.  They will try once again to compete for a first place finish at the OVC championships this weekend.

"The women have a good mix of experience and youth, the freshmen will need to step up in order to win this weekend." Said coach Heins.

Last year the women finished third behind Samford and Eastern Kentucky.  Senior Jen Caywood and junior Lindsay Zeiler will look to lead this group of freshmen and sophomores to a 2005 OVC championship. Zeiler won the OVC title in 2002.