Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Dunbar, Toennies post wins as Cross Country sweeps Saluki Invitational
09/25/2010 | 12:00:00 | Cross Country
Sept. 25, 2010
By Michael Benson
SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Saluki cross country team dominated the competition Saturday in Carbondale, as the team posted individual wins in both the men's and women's races en route to two team wins.
In addition, both races saw three Salukis place in the top four and four runners in the top six, allowing the Dawgs to outdistance MVC rival Evansville on both sides.
"It was good to see the veteran leaders we've been counting on all year step up and lead the way for us," said head coach Matt Sparks. "Dan, Neal, and Kyle did as expected. Lucas has been consistent for us all year."
Senior Dan Dunbar captured first place in his season debut, crossing the finish line with a time of 25:29.6 on the 8K course.
Following the O'Fallon, Ill., native in third was junior Neal Anderson, who posted a career-best placing with a time of 25:36.6, while Kyle Kirchner came in fourth with a time of 25:49.9.
Also in the top ten were Lucas Cherry in sixth (26:00.5) and Brad Wrage in eighth (26:18.5).
Meanwhile, Emily Toennies outdistanced the competition in the women's 5K with a time of 18:09.7. The senior's time was the fastest women's mark at the meet since 2006 and fastest time by a Saluki since 2005.
"On the women's side, we got a team win and an individual win, which is something we've been looking for the last couple years," Sparks said. "The team has won four straight Saluki Invites team wise, but this is our first individual women's title in over three years. To have Emily step up to that level, it was exciting to see."
Finishing just behind Toennies were fellow senior Megan Hoelscher, who crossed the line in second place at 18:21.8, and junior Jamie Pfister in fourth at 19:12.8.
Freshman Eileen Schweiss posted new season-high with a sixth place finish, timing in at 19:40.9.
The Southern Illinois cross country team will head east next week, as they will compete at the Greater Louisville Classic on Saturday, Oct. 2.
Players Mentioned
