Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Salukis open season with Saluki Early Bird
08/27/2014 | 12:00:00 | Cross Country
By Ricardo Cruz
SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill.- One season after winning both the men’s and women’s Missouri Valley Conference cross country championships, Southern Illinois University kicks off the 2014 season with the Saluki Early Bird meet on Friday. The race is set for a 5:30 p.m. start time.
The season opener will also mark head coach David Beauchem’s first meet in charge of the Saluki programs.
“It is obviously really exciting for me,” said Beauchem. “To walk out on the course on Friday and know that I am the head coach of the SIU cross country teams is going to be a proud moment.”
Both the men and women will compete in separate 4K races, with SIU competing in a dual meet against MVC foe Indiana State.
Beauchem will get his first opportunity to see some of the younger members of his teams run in a competitive setting.
“There are a couple of different things that we are doing with the team as a whole,” said Beauchem. “We are getting the freshmen out that we are planning on racing through the season and just getting them their first meet, while also getting some of our veterans who did not compete much last year a chance to run.”
Both the SIU men’s and women’s teams were picked as preseason favorites to repeat as MVC champions. The two teams return a number of veteran runners who will look to defend their conference titles.
