November 11, 2004
Normal, Ill. -
Two weeks after a fourth place showing in the Missouri Valley Conference Championships, the women's cross country team faces its final test Saturday when they take on 29 other teams in the NCAA Midwest Regional at Newman Golf Course in Peoria.
Cross country coach Chris Bailey will take five runners to Peoria for the 11 a.m. 6K, including seniors Laura Kennedy, Diana Ainsley, Leah Smith and Liz Callham, along with freshman Suzy Turner.
"Right now, there's some runners on our team that are ready to shut it down and get ready for track season because of some health issues," Bailey said. "We need to keep our focus with the five that we're taking. We were 10th last year and I think we can improve on that."
The top two teams from each regional automatically qualify for nationals. The top four individuals not from the top two teams also advance, as well as an at-large selection.
The field includes every team from the MVC except Evansville and Indiana State, as well as teams from the Big XII and Big Ten.
Nationals will be held Monday, Nov. 22, in Terre Haute, Ind. The Redbirds begin the track and field season with the Redbird Open on December 11, at Horton Field House.
