Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Cross Country to compete in Panther Open
09/10/2008 | 12:00:00 | Cross Country
Sept. 10, 2008
By Megan Kramper
www. SIUSalukis.com
Carbondale, Ill. - For the fourth season, the SIU cross country teams will open their competitive season Friday at the Panther Invite at Eastern Illinois University.
Among the schools that will be competing include EIU, Wisconsion, McKendree along with other teams.
The men's squad, who are the returning 2007 Missouri Valley Conference champion, will look to make a strong presence with Jeff Schirmer leading the way along with returners Jason Ordway, Kyle Kirchner, and Dan Dunbar.
Head coach Matt Sparks, who is in his seventh season with the Salukis, said opening the season at EIU is familiar for the team which is an advantage.
"It's a good way to kick off our season," Sparks said. "It's not the most competitive, intense environment so for the newcomers and returners as well its a good way to ease into the season."
Jeff Schirmer, the 2007 MVC champion, will look to defend his title this season, but Sparks said he doesn't feel pressure because of an intense summer of training and will look for him to compete on a national level.
On the women's side, Sparks said he looks for A'Seret Dokubo, Emily Toennies, and Megan Hoelcher to highlight the squad and challenge each other on Friday.
But Sparks said a key to success for the women will be how well the middle of the lineup does, including Toni Whitfield, Jamie Pfister, and Kim Bearwood, who are used to running shorter distances when it comes time for track and field in the spring.
"Traditionally these girls struggle when it comes to cross country but they've put in good summers of training and I want to see how well they adapt with races this fall," Sparks said.
Since running the SIU Early Bird on Aug. 29, Sparks said the team got in some good workouts and is excited to see the team compete against competition.
"It has been one of the better first months of training that we've had here since I've been a coach on both the men's and women's side," Sparks said.
The Panther Open will kick off with the women's 5K beginning at 5:30 following with the men's 8K race at 6:30 p.m.
Players Mentioned
