Eagles release 2016 cross country slate

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2016 Cross Country Schedule: Men | Women

University of Southern Indiana Men’s and Women’s Cross Country announced it will host three meets as part of its 2016 schedule.

The Screaming Eagles open the season September 2 when they host the Stegemoller Classic at Angel Mounds. USI travels to East Lansing, Michigan, two weeks later to compete at the Spartan Invite before heading to Louisville, Kentucky, for the Greater Louisville Classic October 1.

USI’s final tune-up prior to the Great Lakes Valley Conference Championships is October 8 when the Eagles host the USI Regional Crossover at Angel Mounds.

The GLVC Championships are October 22 in Rolla, Missouri, while the NCAA II Midwest Region Championships return to Angel Mounds November 5 for the third consecutive year.

If the Eagles make successful runs at the regional meet, they will compete at the NCAA II National Championships November 19 in St. Leo, Florida.

USI’s men are in search of their 12th consecutive GLVC title and NCAA II Tournament appearance after finishing 10th at the NCAA II Championships a year ago. Seniors Chase Broughton (Marengo, Indiana) and Noah Lutz (Evansville, Indiana) are USI’s top returners after the graduations of Johnnie Guy (Palmyra, Indiana), Tyler Schickel (Poseyville, Indiana), and Josh Guy (Palmyra, Indiana).

Broughton was an All-Region honoree in cross country last year as well as a first-team All-American on the track this past May. Lutz finished 45th at the NCAA II Cross Country Championships a year ago after placing fourth at the GLVC Championships.

The Eagles’ women enter 2016 after claiming their fifth straight GLVC title a year ago and finishing 10th at the NCAA II Championships.

Junior Emily Roberts (Fredericktown, Ohio) returns to lead the Eagles after finishing fifth at the NCAA II Cross Country Championships last fall and second in the 10,000 meters at the NCAA II Outdoor Track & Field Championships in May. Roberts established herself as one of the top runners in the country last year by racking up three All-America honors and multiple All-Midwest Region awards.

USI is under the direction of 22-time GLVC Coach of the Year Mike Hillyard, who enters 20th season at the helm of the men’s and women’s cross country/track & field programs.