Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Cross country teams appear in Midwest Regional rankings
09/12/2006 | 12:00:00 | Cross Country
Sept. 12, 2006
By Matt Crouch
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois University men's and women's cross country teams made appearances this week in their respective preseason regional polls. The women's team begins the season ranked No. 6 in the Midwest Region while the men are ranked No. 14.
The No. 6 women's ranking is the highest ever for the Salukis. SIU is led by 2005 All-Missouri Valley Conference honoree Sarah Rinker as well as the returning Brittani Christensen. Christensen earned All-Valley honors in 2004, but sat out the 2005 season because of injury.
"The ranking is a tribue to the girls that are seniors and all that they have accomplished in their first three years," said SIU head coach Matt Sparks.
"It shows how much the running community has noticed what they have done and it is time for us to build upon that success."
SIU is ranked the highest of four MVC schools that made the regional rankings. Wichita State comes in at No. 7, followed by Missouri State at No. 9 and Northern Iowa at No. 12.
The men's team sees itself as a sleeper at No. 14 in the Midwest Region. The men's team lost its top runner from a year ago in Joe Byrne, bu Sparks feels that his young team will turn some heads.
"We are a much better team than 14th, but it is preseason and they haven't taken into consideration our freshman class," said Sparks.
"We are a young team, so the rankings are understandable, but we are a very talented team."
SIU is one of two Valley schools ranked in the Midwest Region, with Drake coming in at No. 10.
The Salukis return to action Friday, Sept. 15 with the Eastern Illinois Panthern Open. The women are scheduled to run a 5K beginning at 5:30 p.m., followed by the men with an 8K at 6 p.m.
Women's Intercollegiate Cross Country Coaches Association
Midwest Region
Preseason (9/12)
1 - Oklahoma State University
2 - University of Illinois
3 - University of Iowa
4 - University of Minnesota
5 - University of Nebraska
6 - Southern Illinois University
7 - Wichita State University
8 - University of Missouri
9 - Missouri State University
10 - University of Oklahoma
11 - University of Tulsa
12 - University of Northern Iowa
13 - University of Kansas
14 - Loyola University - Chicago
15 - Northwestern University
United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association
Midwest Region
Preseason (9/12)
1 - Oklahoma State University
2 - University of Kansas
3 - University of Minnesota
4 - University of Iowa
5 - Iowa State University
6 - University of Illinois
7 - Loyola University - Chicago
8 - University of Missouri
9 - University of Oklahoma
10 - Drake University
11 - University of Illinois - Chicago
12 - University of Tulsa
13 - Eastern Illinois University
14 - Southern Illinois University
15 - Kansas State University
