Women's Cross Country Adds 2 All-State Runners

CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois cross country coach Erin Howarth has announced the addition of two All-State runners to the women's team as Ivy Handley and Julie James both signed national letters of intent to run for the Panthers.

Handley is a stand out runner at Decatur St. Teresa High School where she helped lead the team to three straight IHSA Class 1A state cross country championships during her sophomore through senior seasons.  As an individual she placed in the top 17 all four seasons winning the individual state championship as a senior with a time of 17:24.  She earned All-State honors at the state meet placing 10th as a junior, 11th as a sophomore and 17th as a freshman.  She was named the Decatur Herald & Review Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year in 2012.

In track she has earned two All-State honors placing third in the 2-mile run as a sophomore and as a member of the 4x800 relay team during her junior season. 

“Ivy has progressed each and every year throughout her high school career while also avoiding injury. She is a tenacious competitor and someone who rises to the "big race" occasion,” said Howarth. “Being mentally tough isn't always something that can be coached; it can be encouraged with consistent and uninterrupted training, but the willingness to run your fastest when your mind and body tell you differently comes from your heart and being mentally tough. Ivy has a lot of heart and a mental toughness I can't wait to have on the team. We welcome Ivy and her family to the Panther family and look forward to having her in blue.”

James runs at El Paso-Gridley High School where she was a three-time top 11 finisher at the IHSA Class 1A state cross country championships missing one season due to injury.  As a freshman she placed 11th at the state meet.  During her sophomore season she was the runner-up posting a time of 17:53.  James missed her junior year with an injury only to return as a senior, winning her sectional before finishing seventh at the state meet with a time of 17:53.

In track she has advanced to the IHSA Class 1A state meet her first three years competing in the 800m all three seasons.  As a freshman she was second with a time of 2:12.  Her freshman season was also highlighted by a fifth place mile finish and sixth place 2-mile finish at the state championship.  She competed in the 800m prelim as a sophomore but skipped the finals due to foot pain.  Last year as a junior she placed eighth in the 800m at the IHSA championship.

“Julie is an outstanding athlete and a young woman that has a smile on her face at every moment. She has a very lighthearted and charismatic personality but is also one of the very best competitors I have seen when she toes the line,” said Howarth. “The EIU Panther family welcomes Julie and her family with open arms and cannot wait to have an opportunity to coach her at the next level.”