Nov. 14, 2005

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - (Monday November 14, 2005) The NCAA Cross Country Championships started this weekend at the University of Iowa. While Southeast Missouri State as a team did not compete in the race four Redhawks did race against over 300 of the Midwest's best collegiate runners.

 

The only men's runner Southeast had was senior Gabe Lutes. Lutes managed an impressive top 100 finish at 81. His time in the 10,000 meter race was 33:25. The men's race featured 150 runners competing. Lutes, a native of Fenton, Mo. finishes his cross country career at Southeast.

 

"Lutes finish ends his career on a high note" said coach Eric Heins. "His finish of 81^st is the second highest place Southeast has had in the last few years."

 

The Southeast women had three runners competing in the championships. Senior Jen Caywood finishes her career with a finish at 103 and a time of 24:04 in the women's 6,000 meter race. Running with the senior were two freshmen Juli Koenegstein and Amy Warren.

 

"The freshmen gain some valuable experience racing in the championships" commented coach Heins.

 

Out of 161 women runners Juli Koenegstein finished at 137 with a time of 24:56 and Amy Warren finished at 140 and had a time of 25:07.

 

Representing the Ohio Valley Conference in the Midwest Regional were the men's and women's team from Eastern Illinois. The Panther men finished 12^th and the women finished 17^th.