Hoosiers looking to make a run at nationals

For the first time since 1990 the IU women's cross country team is headed back to the NCAA Championship. On Sunday the Hoosiers finished fourth overall in their regional with the top two teams automatically advancing. Yesterday, however, the Hoosiers along with five other teams from the region were given at large bids to the NCAA Championship. \nFreshman Jessica Gall said in a statement she believes that competing against quality teams at regionals will help at nationals, \n"That helped things, helped ease the nerves," Gall said of the team's wait for the official at-large announcement. "When you do that well against so many teams in your region, you can't help but feel good about your chances."\nThe news of the Hoosiers making it to the NCAAs wasn't the only big news of the week as coach Judy Wilson gave birth to her first child on Sunday, the same day her team competed at regionals. Junior Audrey Giesler said she believes that Wilson had prepared the team well for the meet. \n"Coach Wilson decided the morning of the regional race that it was probably not a good idea for her to go to the meet," Giesler said in a press release. "I know it was really hard for her not to be there. But she had already prepared us to get where we are." \nOne of the primary goals the Hoosiers had at the beginning of the season was to make it to nationals. Now that they have gone that far, Gall said in a statement she thinks the team is ready for a very good race. \n"We're prepared for this," Gall said. "We're going to train smart, race smart and hopefully run well."\nThe race will be held in Terre Haute where the Hoosiers previously ran at the Pre-NCAA's on Oct. 19. The 6K race will begin at noon next Monday Nov. 25. \nFreshman Lindsay Hattendorf said she believes the Hoosiers will have an advantage because of where the race is held. \n"We've trained and competed on the course there," Hattendorf said, "so we can visualize key points of the race"