Oct. 29, 2004

EVANSTON, Ill. - Head coach Amy Tush knows one thing heading into Sunday's Big Ten Championship race.

Her team goes in knowing what they are up against.

"We have had an opportunity to see nearly every Big Ten team during the course of this season," she said. "There will be a manageable field, and our women know the women on these other teams. There should not be any surprises."

Sunday's race will take place at 10:45 a.m. on the Bill & Jim Ashton Cross Country Course in Iowa City.

"I am really looking for our top five runners to step up and give us a good performance," said Tush. "We are pretty strong at the top of our ladder with freshman Marie Grabinski and senior Diana Hossfeld, and someone who has really stepped up this year is senior Lesley Meade to become a solid No. 3.

"What we need to do is decrease the gap between our third runner and our fourth and fifth runners."

A total of nine women will run for the Wildcats.

The fall has had its share of ups and downs, but Tush knows that things can change during the championship portion of the season. Following Sunday's race, the `Cats will also run at the Midwest Regional Championships -- and try to earn an NCAA bid -- November 13.

"Strange things can happen in championship races," said Tush. "I feel like we have some women who, if they step up, could significantly improve upon our standing."

NU Runners at Big Ten Championships
Alison Coren
Kyna Forkins
Marie Grabinski
Kalysta Harmon
Diana Hossfeld
Lesley Meade
Mallory O'Niel
Casey Shea
Caroline Speirs
Ashley Roberts (alternate)