Cross Country Heads To Evansville Invite

CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois men’s and women’s cross country teams will travel to the Evansville Invite this Saturday in their final prep race for the Ohio Valley Conference Championships set for Nov. 1 in Cape Girardeau, Mo.

The women’s team continues to gain strength as several key runners are slowly regaining form following early season set backs. Junior Erin O’Grady has consistently been on the Panthers top three finishers in every event this season while 2005 OVC Freshman of the Year Jessica Blondell competed in her first race of the year at the Notre Dame Gold Invite. Sophomore Caitlin Napoleoni has been working back into competition form after leading EIU at the Panther Invite and then not participating in one of the following two meets.

On the men’s side senior Brad Butler continues to charge towards a possible All-OVC finish as he has led the Panthers in each race this season. Sophomore Derek Ericson has been a strong contributor this season placing as the Panthers second runner in a couple of events. Juniors Aaron Iaun and David Holm have also provided the EIU squad with some depth.