Women’s cross country perform well at Hoosier Invitational; preps for Regionals

Six runners from the Indiana State women's cross country team competed in the Hoosier Invitational Friday at Indiana University. Five runners competed for the Sycamores, while one runner competed unattached.

"This was a great opportunity for all of [our runners] to keep improving as collegiate runners," Head Coach John Gartland said. "Some of [them] took advantage of the situation more than others."

Junior runner Hanna Mercer led the lady Sycamores, finishing 15th. She finished the 5k race in a time of 19:50.

"For Hanna, it was a great performance," Gartland said. "She got up and ran with some really good runners, and earned a spot as our alternate for the Regional meet."

Sophomore runner Ashley Name was next for ISU, finishing 20th in 20:49. Junior runner Serena Simeoli placed 21st in 20:52, freshman runner Casey Jo Boose placed 22nd in 22:00, and freshman runner Emily Qualls placed 24th in 24:06.  Freshman runner Shelby Sands ran unattached and finished 23rd in 22:56.

The non-scored event was smaller on the women's side, having only 24 runners from schools, including Indiana University, University of Toledo, University of Illinois, and Indiana State University.

The Indiana University course is among the most challenging in the region and lays on a golf course with several hills. The meet allows runners to improve their competition skills and gain another race with a competitive setting.

"This is the second year we've done this," Gartland said of the Hoosier Invitational. "It's a really great idea because it is kind of void competitively and is fit for a variety of people. I think each year the competition will grow."

The women's cross country varsity team took the weekend off to prepare for the Great Lakes Regional Championship in Toledo, Ohio Saturday.

The top two teams and the top four individuals in each of the nine regions will automatically qualify for the NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships, as well as the next 13 at-large teams and two at-large individuals. There will be a total of 31 teams and 38 individuals racing at the championship meet.

Though the Indiana State women are not currently ranked in the top 15 of the over 35 teams in the Great Lakes Region, Gartland said that the team goal is still set high. Individually, Gartland said that sophomore runner Jessica Zangmeister hopes to finish in the top 25, which will grant her All-Region status.

"The goal is to be in the top 15, where we were ranked earlier this year," said Gartland. "We were there for about half a year, and that's where we want to get back to."