Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Track and Field	Women's Track and Field SIUE Athletics

November 30, 2005 SIUE Track and Field Announces Two Early Signees         EDWARDSVILLE, ILL. -- The defending Great Lakes Valley Conference champion Southern Illinois University Edwardsville women’s track and field team is getting an early jump in recruiting. The Cougars signed two prospects who will enroll in the fall of 2006 to National Letters of Intent.         The Cougars added Heather Hackel (Decatur/St. Teresa H.S.) and Michelle Friedland (Rock Island/Alleman H.S.). Hackel will provide immediate help in the women’s distance events in track and also will compete in cross country for the Cougars. Friedland will be looking to contribute in the sprinting events.         “I’m very excited to add these two girls to our program,” said SIUE women’s track and field coach Ben Beyers. “We set our sights on finding help in both the short sprints and the distance events, and these two ladies will certainly help us.”         Friedland, a 10-time state qualifier, earned All-State honors last year in both the 100 and 200 meter dashes and also is a two-time team Most Valuable Player at Alleman.         “Michelle is one of those runners who has always been good, but she just continues to work hard and improve,” said Beyers. “I really believe that she is just starting to scratch the surface of her talent, and I think her potential in college is very exciting. I’m not sure what her best event will be in college so I’m excited to get her here and work with her to find out.”         In just her second cross country season, Hackel led St. Teresa to a third-place team finish at the 2005 state cross country championship. Her 2005 finish bettered her 2004 finish by more than 40 places and nearly 1.5 minutes. She was also a member of the state champion 3,200-meter relay in 2004.         “Heather is so young in training years and has already demonstrated huge growth. She has a lot of determination and a good work ethic, which coupled with her talent, will help her excel at the collegiate level,” said SIUE cross country coach Eileen McAllister. “I fully expect Heather to make an immediate impact on our already young women’s team.         “Heather and Michelle are an excellent start to a strong recruiting class.”         The 2006 Cougar track and field teams open their season on Jan. 13 at the Missouri Invitational in Columbia, Mo.         -siue cougars-