Harriers Set for NCAA Championships Course

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The University of Arkansas Lady Razorback cross country teams gets its first chance to showcase its 18th-place national ranking on Saturday morning when it competes at the Indiana State Invitational in Terre Haute, Ind.

For the Lady Razorbacks, the chance to compete at the Indiana State cross country course serves two purposes. It gives Arkansas a taste of competition at the highest levels in seventh-ranked Michigan and 30th-ranked West Virginia and it also allows the Lady Razorbacks a sneak peak at the course which will host the 2004 NCAA Championships.

“This is the first time we will have the majority of our lineup competing,” Arkansas head coach Lance Harter said. “For them it is a great opportunity to preview the nationals course and at the same time face some quality opponents. Due to our schedule we were unable to go to the pre-nationals meet later in the season, so this race serves as our chance to see the course.”

The Lady Razorbacks bring 11 student-athletes to the Indiana State Invite including many of their top guns. Fayetteville Invitational Champion Penny Splichal leads the crew that includes 2003 NCAA Cross Country Championships qualifier Shiloh Whiting, 2003 all-SEC and all-region performer Laura Jakosky, USATF Junior Nationals 5,000-meter runner up Sarah Saffa and 2003 freshman phenom Kristina Smith.

For more information about Lady Razorback cross country or about Arkansas women’s athletics, please go to www.ladybacks.com.