July 7, 2006

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin Ladyjack cross country team is ranked fourth in the 2006 preseason poll for the South Central Region. The poll was announced Friday by the regional representative. The Ladyjacks' strong preseason billing follows a year in which they posted a school-best fifth-place finish at the regional championships.

SFA returns every runner from that performance, including 2006 Southland Conference individual champion and national qualifier Ashley Monteau. Monteau finished fourth individually at last year's regional championships, leading a team effort that saw the Ladyjacks land all seven of their runners inside the Top 70. Other returning scoring runners from last year's regional meet include Katrina Nicholas, Heather Adams, Kirsten Wieseman and LaKoa McKeever. The Ladyjacks also return experienced runners in Kimbri Lettkeman and Amber Bagwell.

The fourth-place preseason ranking puts SFA ahead of several top regional squads, including Texas A&M (5th) and Texas (10th), as well as Southland Conference foes Lamar (7th) and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (9th).

The Ladyjacks will open the 2006 season on Friday, Sept. 1, with the Lumberjack Opener in Nacogdoches. SFA will also host the 2006 SLC Cross Country Championships.

- SFA -