Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Ready to Race at 2014 Pre-Nationals Invite
10/17/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country & Track
| 2014 Northwestern Cross Country |
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| Pre-Nationals Invitational |
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| Date | Saturday, Oct. 18 | 10 a.m. CT |
| Location | LaVern Gibson XC Course | Terre Haute, Ind. |
| Race Info/Results | GoSycamores.com |
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TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- Just as they will for the NCAA Championships in approximately six weeks, the eyes of the collegiate cross country world will focus squarely on Terre Haute, Ind., Saturday for the NCAA Pre-Nationals event. Northwestern is one of 43 teams racing in the competitive Blue Division Race at 10 a.m. CT on Terre Haute's LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course.
Among the more than 400 runners set to toe the line in the Women's 6K race are 12 Wildcats looking to test themselves against the nation's best. Saturday represents the 'Cats' best and last opportunity to stake their claim for a spot in the Northwestern lineup in the 2014 Big Ten Championships, slated for two weeks from Saturday in Iowa City.
This week's contingent of NU runners features five juniors, three sophomores and four freshmen. They are:
Mallory Abel
Haley Albers
Elena Barham
Camille Blackman
Sara Coffey
Kinsey Harmon
Megan O'Brien
Andrea Ostenso
Jena Pianin
Ellen Schmitz
Isabel Seidel
Rachel Weathered
Head coach April Likhite has not entered her squad in the Pre-Nationals Invitational since 2010, when then-sophomore and current assistant coach Audrey Huth led the 'Cats one month before qualifying as an individual for that year's NCAA National Championships in Terre Haute.
This season, it has been not one but two sophomores, Jena Pianin and Andrea Ostenso leading the pack for Northwestern. Both will be aiming to improve on their only 6K cross country time of the season, which came when Ostenso (21:35) and Pianin (21:53) finished 1-2 for the 'Cats at the Big Ten Preview in Iowa City.
For a complete list of teams and individuals competing at the Pre-Nationals Invite as well as course and visitor information, visit GoSycamores.com.
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