Sycamores open 2023 cross country season at EIU
Thursday, August 31 2023 - EIU Walt Crawford Open
Cross Country Kieran Intemann | GoSycamores.com
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State cross country takes part in its first meet of the 2023 season Friday, as the Sycamores are set to compete in the EIU Walt Crawford Open.
The women's 5k race is set to begin at 4:45 p.m. at Tom Woodall Panther Trail, with the men's 8k race scheduled to follow at 5:30 p.m.
Who's in the Field?
Teams scheduled to compete in the season-opening meet alongside the Sycamores are host institution Eastern Illinois, Danville Area CC, Kaskaskia College and Vincennes University.
Run it Back
Indiana State is looking to defend its EIU Walt Crawford Open title on the men's side. The Sycamore men won the season-opening meet last year for the program's first meet win since 2014.
In addition to the team title, Jackson Krieg won the individual title with a time of 25:12.2. Four Sycamores finished in the top 10 – Krieg, Layton Hall, Cael Light and Jason Dworak, while the entire Sycamore top seven finished in the top 30 in the field.
Season Outlook
Indiana State looks poised to take a step forward in 2023 on the men's side, with the Sycamores returning their top five runners from last season. Jackson Krieg leads the way for the Trees, ranking sixth in program history in the 8k (24:22) and also winning the season-opening EIU Walt Crawford Open in 2022. Logan Pietrzak (24:24) and Jason Dworak (24:35) also rank in the top 15 in program history in the 8k, while Cael Light earned Honorable Mention All-MVC after finishing 12th at the conference championships. Krieg, Pietrzak and Dworak all finished in the top 35 at the MVC Championships, while Layton Hall was just outside the top 40. Indiana State's top seven finishers from the 2022 MVC Championships are all back (Light, Krieg, Pietrzak, Dworak, Hall, Ethan Breen, Emerson Fayman).
Indiana State returns most of its 2022 women's team, with Erica Barker leading the way for the Blue and White. Barker moved up to 10th in program history in the 6k (21:46) and was the Sycamores' top finisher at the MVC Championships (22nd), while Morgan Dyer returns after being among the Sycamores' top runners at both the MVC Championship and NCAA Great Lakes Regional. Sara Skaff returns after placing in the top 40 at her first-ever MVC Championship, while graduate transfer Rachel Conhoff was a two-time NCAA Division III National Championship participant. Kyra Young, Cami Farmer and Chloe Loftus also return for the Sycamores. Among the newcomers, Conhoff should challenge for a top-three spot immediately while eight freshmen add needed depth and competition to the program.
Know the Course
Indiana State's roster has familiarity with Friday's course, the Tom Woodall Panther Trail. The Sycamores competed at last year's EIU Walt Crawford Open at the course, with four Sycamore men earning top-10 finishes in the 8k race and Morgan Dyer placing seventh in the women's 5k.
In addition, the Sycamore coaching staff has plenty of experience at the course. Both head cross country coach Brad Butler and assistant coach Riley McInerney ran at Eastern Illinois, with Butler also previously serving as an assistant coach for the Panthers.
Up Next
Indiana State plays host to the John McNichols Invitational September 16 at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course.
The women's 5k race is set to begin at 4:45 p.m. at Tom Woodall Panther Trail, with the men's 8k race scheduled to follow at 5:30 p.m.
| 2023 EIU Walt Crawford Open | |
| Date | Friday, September 1 | 4:45 p.m. (women's 5k) // 5:30 p.m. (men's 8k) |
| Location // Venue | Charleston, Ill. // Tom Woodall Panther Trail |
| Preview Info | Facility Information // Women's 5k Course Map // Men's 8k Course Map |
| Social Media | @IndStXCTF // @IndStAthletics |
Who's in the Field?
Teams scheduled to compete in the season-opening meet alongside the Sycamores are host institution Eastern Illinois, Danville Area CC, Kaskaskia College and Vincennes University.
Run it Back
Indiana State is looking to defend its EIU Walt Crawford Open title on the men's side. The Sycamore men won the season-opening meet last year for the program's first meet win since 2014.
In addition to the team title, Jackson Krieg won the individual title with a time of 25:12.2. Four Sycamores finished in the top 10 – Krieg, Layton Hall, Cael Light and Jason Dworak, while the entire Sycamore top seven finished in the top 30 in the field.
Season Outlook
Indiana State looks poised to take a step forward in 2023 on the men's side, with the Sycamores returning their top five runners from last season. Jackson Krieg leads the way for the Trees, ranking sixth in program history in the 8k (24:22) and also winning the season-opening EIU Walt Crawford Open in 2022. Logan Pietrzak (24:24) and Jason Dworak (24:35) also rank in the top 15 in program history in the 8k, while Cael Light earned Honorable Mention All-MVC after finishing 12th at the conference championships. Krieg, Pietrzak and Dworak all finished in the top 35 at the MVC Championships, while Layton Hall was just outside the top 40. Indiana State's top seven finishers from the 2022 MVC Championships are all back (Light, Krieg, Pietrzak, Dworak, Hall, Ethan Breen, Emerson Fayman).
Indiana State returns most of its 2022 women's team, with Erica Barker leading the way for the Blue and White. Barker moved up to 10th in program history in the 6k (21:46) and was the Sycamores' top finisher at the MVC Championships (22nd), while Morgan Dyer returns after being among the Sycamores' top runners at both the MVC Championship and NCAA Great Lakes Regional. Sara Skaff returns after placing in the top 40 at her first-ever MVC Championship, while graduate transfer Rachel Conhoff was a two-time NCAA Division III National Championship participant. Kyra Young, Cami Farmer and Chloe Loftus also return for the Sycamores. Among the newcomers, Conhoff should challenge for a top-three spot immediately while eight freshmen add needed depth and competition to the program.
Know the Course
Indiana State's roster has familiarity with Friday's course, the Tom Woodall Panther Trail. The Sycamores competed at last year's EIU Walt Crawford Open at the course, with four Sycamore men earning top-10 finishes in the 8k race and Morgan Dyer placing seventh in the women's 5k.
In addition, the Sycamore coaching staff has plenty of experience at the course. Both head cross country coach Brad Butler and assistant coach Riley McInerney ran at Eastern Illinois, with Butler also previously serving as an assistant coach for the Panthers.
Up Next
Indiana State plays host to the John McNichols Invitational September 16 at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course.