—University of Southern Indiana Men’s and Women’s Cross Country returns to the course Saturday when the Screaming Eagles compete at the Lewis University Crossover in Romeoville, Illinois.
The women’s six-kilometer race is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m., while the men’s 8k starts at 10:45 a.m.
Competitors from an expected 38 women’s teams and 35 men’s teams will toe the line Saturday morning, making the meet the largest NCAA Division II meet in the country.
Eagles in the polls. USI’s men continue to hold down their No. 8 ranking in the latest U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches’ Association Top 25 poll, while USI’s women slipped a spot to No. 13 in the latest poll. The Eagles are ranked No. 2 in the USTFCCCA Midwest Region men’s rankings and No. 5 in the Midwest Region women’s rankings.
Deep field. USI’s men are one of nine nationally-ranked teams expected to compete at the Lewis Crossover Saturday, while the women are one of seven nationally-ranked teams toeing the line in Romeoville.
In addition to USI, the men’s field includes No. 4 Grand Valley State University, No. 6 Augustana University, No. 11 Michigan Tech University, No. 17 Walsh University, No. 18 California State University-San Marcos, No. 19 University of Alabama-Huntsville and No. 25 Wayne State University.
Nationally-ranked teams competing against USI’s women Saturday are expected to include No. 2 Grand Valley State, No. 5 Augustana, No. 12 Walsh, No. 14 California State University East Bay, No. 17 Missouri Southern State University and No. 22 Wayne State.
Eagles going for three straight wins. USI’s men are seeking their third straight win when they compete Saturday. The Eagles posted a perfect score at the season-opening Stegemoller Classic before edging three nationally-ranked opponents at the Trevecca Division II Showcase Invitational.
Last time out. Junior Jennifer Comastri (Indianapolis, Indiana) earned a second-place finish at the Trevecca Division II Showcase Invitational, helping USI’s women secure a second-place finish as a team. Senior Austin Nolan (Evansville, Indiana) paced the men with a third place finish.
