2007 Team Roster

Six women and nine men make up the 2007 ICC cross country teams. A strong nucleus of sophomores return with the addition of some promising freshmen.

The Region 24 champion women's team returns four sophomores - Sam Conlee (Dunlap), Kelsey Holsapple (Metamora), Marissa Menke (Peoria), and Coaches Association All-American Hannah Griffin (Metamora). They are joined by freshmen Darci Knapp (Eureka) and Tiffany Golden (Spring Valley).

The men's team returns five sophomores, including 4 of the top 6 runners from last year. They are Joe Klumb (Trivoli), Scott Perry (Metamora), Carl Pflederer (Tremont), Justin Phillis (Morton), and Hank Stickelmaier (Groveland). Joining them are freshmen Michael Donini (Henry), Billy Miller (Metamora), Nick Reed (Bartonville), and Ansel Wachter (Peoria Heights).

Despite the recent heat, the teams have been working hard and seem focused on having a great season.

2007 ICC Cross Country Schedule

The 2007 ICC cross country teams will take on their most ambitious schedule ever with three major invitationals in the month of September, and culminating at nationals, held in downstate Illinois. The women's team will be out to defend their titles of the Augustana, Benedictine, and Sauk Valley Invitationals, as well as the Region 24 championship. The men seek to defend their Sauk Valley title and to improve on their 3rd place at regionals. Both teams will strive to better their 11th (women) and 15th (men) place finishes at last year's nationals. Two new meets will be run this year - The Elmhurst College Early Bird Invitational and the Illinois Intercollegiate Meet. No home meets will be run this year due to road and parking lot construction on the ICC North campus.

The schedule:

Friday, August 31 - Early Bird Invitational, Elmhurst, IL
Women 5:00pm (4k), Men 5:45 (6k)
Friday September 7 - Bradley Open, Peoria, IL
Men 5:30pm (8k), Women 6:15 (5k)
Friday September 14 - Illinois Intercollegiate Meet, Bloomington, IL
Women 5:00 (5k), Men 5:45 (8k)
Friday September 21 - Augustana Invitational, Davenport, IA
Men 5:00 (8k), Women 5:45 (6k)
Friday October 5 - Benedictine University Invitational, Lisle, IL
Women 3:30 (6k), Men 4:15 (8k)
Saturday October 13 - Sauk Valley Invitational, Dixon, IL
Women 10:30 (3M), Men 11:15 (5M)
Friday October 26 - Region 24 Championships, Danville, IL
Women (5k), Men (8k) - Times to be determined
Saturday November 10 - NJCAA Nationals, Benton, IL

NJCAA ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICANS

For the first time in the short history of the ICC Cross Country teams, we have had two Distinguished Academic All-Americans in one year. Kristen Galat and Jill Kennelly achieved this honor by graduating with grade-point-averages of 3.9 and 3.8, respectively.

Kristen, who spent two weeks this summer in Romania and Hungary, will be continuing her education at the University of Illinois Chicago, where she will study Secondary English Education. Jill will start the OSF St. Francis school of nursing in August.

We wish them well; they have been great leaders both on the field and in the classroom.

Steamboat Results

Seven ICC Cross Country athletes and two coaches ran the 4-mile at the 33rd Steamboat Classic, Saturday, June 16. It was a steamy morning and running was difficult, but some of the performances were pretty hot. On the women's side, Marissa Menke led the way with a 27:56 clocking to place 44th among the women. Incoming frosh, Darce Knapp of Eureka, ran 31:59 for 120th among the women and 18th in her age division. Kelsey Holsapple also competed and finished with a leasurely 39:56.

On the men's side, Kevin Martin ran a fine 21:08 for 33rd place overall. Incoming freshman Michael Donini of Henry showed great promise with a 23:09. Scott Perry proved that he maintained fitness while in Texas by running 23:29, and another frosh-to-be, Nick Reed of Bartonville, ran 27:31.

Coach Tiffany Mack finished the 4 miles in 28:56 for 62nd pace among women, and Coach Glenn Herold ran 24:58 for 137th overall and 2nd in his age division.

Question: What is the purpose of Life?

Answer:

To be

the eyes

and ears

and conscience

of the Creator of the Universe,

you fool.

- Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. in Breakfast of Champions

Kevin Again PR's in Naperville

For the second time in two weeks, Kevin Martin logged a PR at the North Central College Last Chance Meet when he clocked 4:04.90 for his 1500 meter run.

This equates to about a 4:22.5 mile and a 10 second improvement since starting the indoor season. Nice job for making your last track race of the season your best, Kevin!

Amanda and Kevin PR in Naperville

Amanda Holman and Kevin Martin both recorded PR's last Friday in a meet at North Central College in Naperville. Faster than a stinging Hornet (pun intended), Amanda ran the 800 in 2:16.8 and Kevin split a 4:05.9 for the 1500 meters.

Nice job, Cougars!