October 9, 2004
Carbondale, Ill. -
The Illinois State cross country team had one final tune-up before the pre-national meet, taking part in the Saluki Invitational on the campus of Southern Illinois Saturday.
Cross country coach Chris Bailey took a small group, with only two runners competing on the women's side. The men had seven competitors running on Saturday.
On the men's side, junior Dan Tripp ran for the first time all season, taking 20th in the 8K with a time of 26:35. Bailey was happy to get Tripp back on the course and feels he is ready to make a serious run for all-Missouri Valley Conference honors.
"I know Dan was a little disappointed with his time, but for his first meet, he got out and competed well," Bailey said. "We just need to get him in some races over the next couple of weeks."
Jeremy Doherty was the top runner for the men, placing 15th (26:16). Bronco Meeks was 33rd with a time of 27:07, while Dan Box was 39th with a time of 27:15.
On the women's side, Elizabeth Callham was 54th with a time of 19:51, while Whitney Beals was 82nd (20:48).
The women travel to Terre Haute, Ind., next weekend for the pre-NCAA meet, while the men take part at Wisconsin-Lacrosse. Both meets are scheduled for Saturday, October 16.
