Sycamore cross country to open season Friday at EIU
Thursday, September 1 2022 - EIU Walt Crawford Open
Cross Country Kieran Intemann | GoSycamores.com
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State cross country is set for its first of four 2022 regular season meets, as the Sycamores will take part in the EIU Walt Crawford Open Friday afternoon.
The women's 5k race is set to start at 4:45 p.m. ET (3:45 p.m. CT), with the men's 8k to follow at 5:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. CT).
Who's in the Field?
The Sycamores will be joined by host institution Eastern Illinois, along with Marquette, SIU Edwardsville, UIC, Defiance College, Vincennes, Kaskaskia College and Danville Area CC.
Underdog Expectations
Indiana State was picked to finish towards the middle of the pack on both the men's and women's side in the 2022 Missouri Valley Conference Preseason Poll. The Sycamore men were picked to finish sixth, while Indiana State's women were tabbed seventh.
Welcome Back
Indiana State returns a plethora of talent on the men's side, including the team's top finisher at last year's MVC Championships in sophomore Cael Light. Light, a Terre Haute native, placed 21st at the conference championships with an 8k time of 25:27.7.
In addition to Light, Ethan Breen, Jason Dworak, Jackson Krieg, Logan Pietzrak and Wyatt Wyman are all back for the Sycamores. That group represented six of Indiana State's top eight from last season, including four of the top five.
On the women's side, the Sycamores return three of their top six from last season. Erica Barker is the top returner after finishing 27th at last year's MVC Championships, while Morgan Dyer and Chloe Loftus are also back for the Trees.
Keeping Continuity
Indiana State head cross country coach Brad Butler enters his second season at the helm and has a familiar face alongside him on staff.
Riley McInerney joined the Sycamore coaching staff during the 2021-22 indoor track & field season and, along with Butler, has worked with Indiana State's cross country and distance runners. McInerney is no stranger to Butler, as he ran at Eastern Illinois for four seasons while Butler was an assistant coach for the Panthers.
What's Up Next?
Indiana State will play host to the John McNichols Invitational September 17 at the Lavern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course.
The women's 5k race is set to start at 4:45 p.m. ET (3:45 p.m. CT), with the men's 8k to follow at 5:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. CT).
Who's in the Field?
The Sycamores will be joined by host institution Eastern Illinois, along with Marquette, SIU Edwardsville, UIC, Defiance College, Vincennes, Kaskaskia College and Danville Area CC.
Underdog Expectations
Indiana State was picked to finish towards the middle of the pack on both the men's and women's side in the 2022 Missouri Valley Conference Preseason Poll. The Sycamore men were picked to finish sixth, while Indiana State's women were tabbed seventh.
Welcome Back
Indiana State returns a plethora of talent on the men's side, including the team's top finisher at last year's MVC Championships in sophomore Cael Light. Light, a Terre Haute native, placed 21st at the conference championships with an 8k time of 25:27.7.
In addition to Light, Ethan Breen, Jason Dworak, Jackson Krieg, Logan Pietzrak and Wyatt Wyman are all back for the Sycamores. That group represented six of Indiana State's top eight from last season, including four of the top five.
On the women's side, the Sycamores return three of their top six from last season. Erica Barker is the top returner after finishing 27th at last year's MVC Championships, while Morgan Dyer and Chloe Loftus are also back for the Trees.
Keeping Continuity
Indiana State head cross country coach Brad Butler enters his second season at the helm and has a familiar face alongside him on staff.
Riley McInerney joined the Sycamore coaching staff during the 2021-22 indoor track & field season and, along with Butler, has worked with Indiana State's cross country and distance runners. McInerney is no stranger to Butler, as he ran at Eastern Illinois for four seasons while Butler was an assistant coach for the Panthers.
What's Up Next?
Indiana State will play host to the John McNichols Invitational September 17 at the Lavern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course.