Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Saluki cross country prepares for Crimson Classic in Alabama
10/15/2015 | 12:00:00 | Cross Country
By Rico Cruz
SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - In their final tune-up meet before the Missouri Valley Conference Championships, the Southern Illinois cross country teams hit the road for the Crimson Classic in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Friday. The women's 5K race starts the meet at 5 p.m., with the men's 8K race wrapping it up at 5:30 p.m.
Oscar Medina will look to build off of his impressive performance two weeks ago at the Rim Rock Classic. In his season debut in Lawrence, Kan., the Chicago, Ill., native finished the 8K race in third place with a time of 24:16.1. Brandon Shemonia was SIU's second best finisher in the race, crossing the finish line in 13th place in a time of 24:37.1.
Krista Menghini will be called upon to once again take charge for the women's team. Menghini has been the leader for the squad, as she has been the first Saluki to finish each race this season. In her last outing, Menghini finished 18th in the 6K race at the Rim Rock Classic.
SIU will compete against a tough field of teams, that includes host school Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, LSU, Mississippi, and Oklahoma State.
The Crimson Classic will mark the end of the regular season for the Salukis. Following Friday's meet, Southern will turn their attention to the MVC Championships, which takes place Oct. 31 in Evansville, Ind.
