Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
Panther Open (Men)
Cross Country sweeps team titles at Panther Open
09/12/2008 | 12:00:00 | Cross Country
Sept. 12, 2008
By Megan Kramper
www.SIUSalukis.com
CHARLESTON, Ill. - The SIU Cross Country teams kicked off their seasons in winning fashion as both the men's and women's teams claimed titles in the Panther Invite at Eastern Illinois University.
"It's a good start to the season," Head coach Matt Sparks said. "They're always little things to improve on but for the most part you can't complain about two first place finishes."
Jeff Schirmer repeated as race champion for the second consecutive year as he posted a time of 25:14.29 and the Salukis claimed seven out of the top ten spots to secure their team victory with 23 points.
Dan Dunbar finished second with a time of 25:18.16 and Mark Bowman followed close behind to grab fifth place at a pace of 25:38.13.
Jason Ordway, Neal Anderson, Brad Wrage, and Tyler Bradford rounded out the top finishers for the Salukis.
The women also put on an impressive show as SIU had five runners finish in the top ten to finish with a score of 18 points with Western Illinois claiming second and Evansville took third by one point over Southeast Missouri State.
Megan Hoelscher took top honors for the Salukis, placing second with a time of 18:30.18 behind Beth Whalen, who was unattached.
A'Seret Dokubo came in third close behind with a time of 18:30.52 and Emily Toennies finished fourth with a time of 18:31.69.
"It was something we talked about with those three before the race was to kind of key off each other and just work together and at the end see how many people we could catch," Sparks said.
Rounding out the top finishers for the Salukis were Jamie Pfister in seventh place and Toni Whitfield in ninth place.
The Salukis will return to action on Sept. 27 as they host the Saluki Invitational beginning at 10 a.m.
"It's a good start to the season," Head coach Matt Sparks said. "They're always little things to improve on but for the most part you can't complain about two first place finishes."
Jeff Schirmer repeated as race champion for the second consecutive year as he posted a time of 25:14.29 and the Salukis claimed seven out of the top ten spots to secure their team victory with 23 points.
Dan Dunbar finished second with a time of 25:18.16 and Mark Bowman followed close behind to grab fifth place at a pace of 25:38.13.
Jason Ordway, Neal Anderson, Brad Wrage, and Tyler Bradford rounded out the top finishers for the Salukis.
The women also put on an impressive show as SIU had five runners finish in the top ten to finish with a score of 18 points with Western Illinois claiming second and Evansville took third by one point over Southeast Missouri State.
Megan Hoelscher took top honors for the Salukis, placing second with a time of 18:30.18 behind Beth Whalen, who was unattached.
A'Seret Dokubo came in third close behind with a time of 18:30.52 and Emily Toennies finished fourth with a time of 18:31.69.
"It was something we talked about with those three before the race was to kind of key off each other and just work together and at the end see how many people we could catch," Sparks said.
Rounding out the top finishers for the Salukis were Jamie Pfister in seventh place and Toni Whitfield in ninth place.
The Salukis will return to action on Sept. 27 as they host the Saluki Invitational beginning at 10 a.m.
Players Mentioned
