Cross country teams get first look at conference competition at GLVC meet

Branden Peterson
Sports Reporter

The men's and women's cross country teams will compete in the Great Valley Lakes Conference meet this weekend.

It will be the first time SIUE has seen most of the other teams in the GLVC.

The women's team is definitely a contender for the championship crown.

With freshman sensation, Carrie Carducci, the women have placed in the top three of almost every meet they have competed in.

Carducci owns the freshman 5,000 meter record and has led her team in every race.

And because of her outstanding performances this year Carducci is almost a sure bet for the Freshman of the Year award at the conference meet.

"I think she's ready to be All-Conference," coach Darryl Frerker said.

But that doesn't mean it will be easy for the Lady Cougars.

They will have stiff competition from last year's winner and host team the University of Southern Indiana.

They will also face the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, Lewis University and Bellarmine College.

Southern Indiana should have all their scoring runners from last year's conference meet, back this year and in top form.

The Lady Cougars have also been nagged by minor injuries lately.

"We have some soreness on the ladies side that might prohibit some of the performance," Frerker said.

Last year the men placed last as a team at the conference meet.

This year Frerker expects more from his men.

"We can't do anything but improve on our performance from last year," coach Frerker said.

The men's chances of winning the conference meet this year are not as good as the women's chances. That doesn't mean the men don't have a chance at all.

"I think the men are ready to go into the conference meet, and compete and perform well," Frerker said.

Jason Olszowka, Tyler Krauss and Robbie Old have a good chance of being All-Conference runners.

Other runners to look for are Nick Campbell, David Droege, Dustin Gentry and Steve McNamer.......