REGIONALS PREVIEW

It will be a super regional Saturday, October 31, in more ways than one when ICC hosts both Region 24 and Region 11 at Newman Golf Course in Peoria. Five of the top 25 ranked teams in the country, both men and women, will be featured in the race. Race times are 3:30 for the women and 4:15 for the men.

The men's field is likely to be led by top ranked and defending regional champ Rend Lake college. Also in the field though, are 7th ranked Iowa Central, 10th ranked Iowa Western, 13th ranked Northern Iowa Area CC, 15th ranked ICC, and 25th ranked Danville. ICC has been getting solid 1-2 finishes from sophomore Shane Leiby and frosh JQ Smith, but our chances to beat some of the Iowa schools lies in the ability of the 3 through 7 runners to step up. Frederick Kiprono, who was running number 3 earlier in the season, is out with an injury, so Josh Battles, Kyle Lueken, Nick Leiby, Cory Shoopman, and Robert Deatherage must make up the slack. Bobby Widick is now healthy and running well and may also be a factor for the Cougars.

The women's race should also be a barn burner. Fourth ranked Iowa Central, number 8 ICC, and defending regional champion Rend Lake, ranked 13th, look to be the odds-on favorites, but 17th ranked Iowa Western and 24th ranked Northern Iowa Area will make the team race interesting. ICC has been led all season by All-American Brittany Carius, who will likely make a run for the individual title against Julia Sambu, a Kenyan from Rend Lake. Britt is capably backed by the strong unit of fellow soph Alyssa Imig, and frosh Kayla Christ, Michelle Carter, and Raven Pettry. Olivia Coker and Bonni Martin, currently running in the 6th and 7th positions, will be important to the Cougar's team chances. Jenny Smiles has also been looking good and is expected to challenge for a top 7 spot. Depth has been a strong asset of the Cougars all season and will be important once again at the regional meet.

Fan's wishing to watch the meet should park at Sterling Middle School on Sterling Avenue. The starting line is about 400 meters east of Sterling on number 16 fairway.