EIU Harriers Slated Third In OVC Poll

OVC POLL RELEASE

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – Eastern Illinois men’s and women’s cross country teams were both predicted to finish third as the Ohio Valley Conference released its 2008 preseason predictions.

Eastern Illinois and Jacksonville State finished in a tie for third place in the men’s preseason poll while Eastern Kentucky was the preseason favorite. The Panthers, the 2005 OVC Champions, were fifth a season ago and led by freshmen Brad LaRocque and Ryan Hoklas, who were 15th and 16th at the meet.

Eastern Illinois, who last claimed an OVC Championship in 2001, was tabbed third in the women’s poll after a fifth place finish a year ago. The Panthers had two runners – Erin O’Grady (15th) and Caitlin Napoleoni (16th) – who are among the top 10 returning finishers from a season ago after Top 20 finishes at the 2007 championships.

EIU opens the season on Sept. 6 hosting the EIU Alumni Meet with the annual EIU Panther Open set for Sept. 12 at the EIU Panther Trail.